Although I haven't read the Australian children's book "The Magic Pudding", I'm familiar with the phrase "cut and come again" being used in it.
Is the phrase understood outside of Australia?
asked Aug 1, 2015 at 9:56
-
3I have never heard the expression and can't even guess what it means. Could you explain it further and give a link to an example? Thanks.– chasly - supports MonicaAug 1, 2015 at 9:58
-
Obviously it means to encourage growth in plants by pruning.– Joost KiefteAug 1, 2015 at 10:20
-
I'm Australian and not familiar with the expression.– nnnnnnMar 30, 2022 at 23:35
Add a comment
|
3 Answers
Yes, the phrase, 'cut-and-come-again' is definitely used in the UK, usually to refer to types of vegetable or yummy chocolate cakes.
Here are some definitions:
- a garden plant, especially a green vegetable or a flower, that can be repeatedly cut or harvested
'cut-and-come-again spinach'
Source: ODO
- abundant supply, from the notion of cutting a slice, and returning at will for another
'It was cut, roast, and come again, for the next hour and a half.'
Source: Fine Dictionary
Examples of usage from the UK:
answered Aug 1, 2015 at 10:48
-
1Ah - a word used by foodies. That explains why I haven't heard it. Aug 1, 2015 at 10:57
-
I also know this phrase from the delightful The Magic Pudding where it is a bit of a joke because the pudding “regrows” after you cut a piece—like certain vegetables would—but also the pudding is delicious and so the characters cut a piece and then come for more. I just came across the phrase in Cranford where the first person character uses it to refer to her family liking to criticize her for a particular fault: “and in general they cut and come again.” A fine pun, I thought.
-
1
-
@Mitch Possibly it's the British TV show? (But yes, clarification would be welcome from Anne.)– Laurel ♦Mar 30, 2022 at 21:44
-
Cranford is the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell written in the 1850’s (and I wouldn’t be surprised if the BBC has done a version). Cranford is a small town in England. Mar 30, 2022 at 23:25
-
@AnneSandbach Can you edit your answer to add that information? Easier to see all the info in the answer than having to scan the comments for it.– MitchMar 31, 2022 at 2:34
-
Isn't the OP in the question already referring to The Magic Pudding? Not sure I follow this answer. Welcome to the ELU community, Anne!– NVZ ♦Mar 31, 2022 at 2:48
It depends on where you are at. I have never heard that phrase used by a person from the United States or Canada, and I live in the Northern United States. I have heard it used on Brit-box. I actually looked it up, because I heard it used on Agatha Raisin (I love that show), and I figured it was something British, but I guess it's Australian?
I would have to say that it didn't make it to the Americas, but it did, however, make it to western Europe.
