When a baby's teeth first appear, what is really cut is the gums as the teeth push through them. The Oxford English Dictionary gives "cut" in this sense, with "tooth" or "teeth" as the object, in quotations going back to 1677.
Babies and puppies chew on things when they are "cutting teeth." The way I've heard the expression is in reference to how one gained experience. "I 'cut my teeth on' writing funeral notices for a newspaper."
Other toothsome expressions: "to cut one's eyeteeth" or "to cut one's wisdom teeth." Mr. Funk says the first means: "To acquire wisdom; to learn the ways of the world. An eyetooth is a canine tooth, the third from the center in the upper jaw. The expression is somewhat literal, for the implication is that by the time a person has got his permanent set of canine teeth, has reached the age of twelve or fourteen, he has passed out of babyhood and has reached years of discretion. This working of the saying appears to have originated in the United States, first recorded in 1870 by the essayist, Ralph Waldo Emerson, though undoubtedly long in use before that date. The British version, dating to the early eighteenth century, is 'to have one's eyeteeth' or 'to have one's eyeteeth about one.' The usage differs slightly, carrying the implication of alertness against chicanery; that is, to use one's knowledge and experience in one's dealings." From "2107 Curious Word Origins, Sayings & Expressions from White Elephants to a Song and Dance" by Charles Earle Funk (Galahad Book, New York, 1993). A second source says: "If wisdom does come with age, 'to cut one's wisdom teeth' is more appropriate, for these are cut at the ages of 17 to 25 and up to age 50! These molars have been known as 'dentes sapientiae,' 'teeth of wisdom,' since the time of Hippocrates." From "Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins" by Robert Hendrickson (Facts on File, New York, 1997).
Babies and puppies chew on things when they are "cutting teeth." The way I've heard the expression is in reference to how one gained experience. "I 'cut my teeth on' writing funeral notices for a newspaper."
Other toothsome expressions: "to cut one's eyeteeth" or "to cut one's wisdom teeth." Mr. Funk says the first means: "To acquire wisdom; to learn the ways of the world. An eyetooth is a canine tooth, the third from the center in the upper jaw. The expression is somewhat literal, for the implication is that by the time a person has got his permanent set of canine teeth, has reached the age of twelve or fourteen, he has passed out of babyhood and has reached years of discretion. This working of the saying appears to have originated in the United States, first recorded in 1870 by the essayist, Ralph Waldo Emerson, though undoubtedly long in use before that date. The British version, dating to the early eighteenth century, is 'to have one's eyeteeth' or 'to have one's eyeteeth about one.' The usage differs slightly, carrying the implication of alertness against chicanery; that is, to use one's knowledge and experience in one's dealings." From "2107 Curious Word Origins, Sayings & Expressions from White Elephants to a Song and Dance" by Charles Earle Funk (Galahad Book, New York, 1993). A second source says: "If wisdom does come with age, 'to cut one's wisdom teeth' is more appropriate, for these are cut at the ages of 17 to 25 and up to age 50! These molars have been known as 'dentes sapientiae,' 'teeth of wisdom,' since the time of Hippocrates." From "Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins" by Robert Hendrickson (Facts on File, New York, 1997).
1) Though a fine officer in the marines, General KT first cut his teeth in leadership and character as an Eagle Scout. 2) I cut my teeth on making homemade rockets while I was a high school student in the engineering club.
by Laniidae March 16, 2008
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Jim, you know that North Hastings County is where I earn and I really do not appreciate it when you cut my grass.
by Andy Renko August 26, 2006
Get the cut my grass mug.This is a phrase that refers to when a girl asks and guy to cut her bread at lunch...but in all actuality it's a trick to see if he is whipped. Can also be mistaking for Cut my salad
by Rachel Vaughan August 19, 2007
Get the Cut my Bread mug.A phrase a female would use at dinner in front of other couples to show that her man is whipped. If the male does cut the bread. He is thereforth whipped
by Rachelv October 15, 2007
Get the Cut my bread mug.Saying for jerks, slackers, cocky bastards, arrogant pricks and very highly respected douchebags meaning you are the one cutting the slack, and nobody else. There isn't anyone else in your life that you need to ask for help, because you know how to help yourself, and don't need anyone's permission.
"Cut me some slack, Jack! Sorry, I cut my own slack"
"Did your boss cut you some slack on your lunch so you can stay longer? I am the boss, I cut my own slack!"
See jerk, douche, cocky, bastard, prick, asshole
"Did your boss cut you some slack on your lunch so you can stay longer? I am the boss, I cut my own slack!"
See jerk, douche, cocky, bastard, prick, asshole
by slack cutter February 25, 2012
Get the i cut my own slack mug.To cut a "middle man" out of a business deal for any reason without "middle man" permission. No matter how unreasonable, ridiculous or just down right stupid. Even if said "middle man" was the one who set you up with the new business contact in the first place. Even if going to the new business contact is more beneficial to you, out of some kind of far fetched, crazy person ideals you must throw all common sense and logic out the window and screw yourself to keep some idiotic, obviously desperate "middle man" happy.
"Hey, John If you want to purchase that car you need to come to me. "Don't cut my feet" and go to my boss we were friends 10 years ago and I need that commission even if it means you must knowingly screw yourself over."
"I know I set you up with my boss for that last sale so you could get a good deal because we are friends, but I'm a selfish douche and want to rip you off so "don't cut my feet" anymore by going to him instead of me or I will do everything I can to ruin your reputation until you have no choice but to come back to me."
"I don't care if you do business with my competitors because you know I'm completely untrustworthy, you are the only person I don't screw over in my business deals. Trust me. We were kind of acquaintances years ago I can't believe I even need to say this, but "don't cut my feet" like this."
"I know I set you up with my boss for that last sale so you could get a good deal because we are friends, but I'm a selfish douche and want to rip you off so "don't cut my feet" anymore by going to him instead of me or I will do everything I can to ruin your reputation until you have no choice but to come back to me."
"I don't care if you do business with my competitors because you know I'm completely untrustworthy, you are the only person I don't screw over in my business deals. Trust me. We were kind of acquaintances years ago I can't believe I even need to say this, but "don't cut my feet" like this."
by batshitcrazychic February 2, 2013
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