Why do we say "cut to the quick"? | | This archaic idiom describes delivering an emotional blow so sharp and personal that it metaphorically "cuts" to the most sensitive part of a person. | |  | Rachel Gresh |
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| |  | | A s a lover of historical dramas, I'm captivated by elaborate costumes, immersive details, and poetic dialogue. However, I'm easily disillusioned by inaccuracies. It's frustrating to be pulled out of the moment by a mismatched accent or a faulty turn of phrase, and a common offender in period dramas is the use of words, phrases, or idioms that don't quite align with the historical setting.
These thoughts arose while I was watching an episode of the TV series Outlander, set in 18th-century Scotland. In a tense exchange, protagonist Claire Fraser greets one of her adversaries, the Duke of Sandringham. Upon expressing his delight to see her, Claire replies, "I wish I could say the same." Visibly stunned, the duke responds, "You cut me to the quick, but I suppose I deserve it." This made me wonder: Is this idiom accurate for the time period? And what does "cut to the quick" mean?
After a bit of research, I can confirm: The idiom was historically accurate for the time, and it's actually older. "Cut to the quick" describes the act of deeply hurting someone emotionally. For example, "His petty insult about her personal life cut to the quick." This phrase uses a long-lost definition of "quick." Instead of meaning "fast" (as we use it today), this version of "quick" hearkens back to an archaic usage meaning "alive" or "animated," derived from the Old English word cwic, meaning "characterized by the presence of life." While rare today, this definition has been in use since the 12th century.
By the 14th century, "quick" also referred to the sensitive flesh beneath the fingernail, still called that today. This hints at the idiom's usage; it involves "cutting" through the dead skin until you reach the "quick," that is, the living, most sensitive part. Metaphorically, "cutting to the quick" causes an emotional injury so severe that it reaches the deepest, most sensitive parts of a person.
This idiom became mainstream in the 16th century and has remained popular ever since. It's an excellent example of how language evolves while preserving echoes of its past. While Outlander may take historical liberties, at least in this case, the use of "cut to the quick" was spot-on. |
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Emoji Decoded | |  | | Squid | | | Meaning: Depicts a squid with tentacles, not to be confused with the Octopus 🐙.
Evolution: While it initially represented the sea creature, this emoji gained new popularity after the 2021 viral hit of Netflix's "Squid Game." It was often paired with 🟥, 🔺, and 🔴, also from the show.
Usage: [Caption on a photo of a failed cooking attempt:] I need a few more arms to manage this recipe 🦑 |
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| | Squid | | | Meaning: Depicts a squid with tentacles, not to be confused with the Octopus 🐙.
Evolution: While it initially represented the sea creature, this emoji gained new popularity after the 2021 viral hit of Netflix's "Squid Game." It was often paired with 🟥, 🔺, and 🔴, also from the show.
Usage: [Caption on a photo of a failed cooking attempt:] I need a few more arms to manage this recipe 🦑 |
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Have you read? | |  | | Cher: The Memoir | | By Cher | | Celebrity memoirs aren't usually my first choice — I generally prefer fiction — but I'm excited to dive into this one, which Kirkus called "a truly great celebrity memoir." Perhaps not surprisingly for a superstar whose career has spanned five decades, this is the first of two volumes; it covers her early life and tumultuous, high-profile relationship with Sonny Bono, among other things. Part two is due sometime in 2025. | | | | Allie Takeda, Senior Managing Editor | | | | We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. |
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| | Cher: The Memoir | | By Cher | | Celebrity memoirs aren't usually my first choice — I generally prefer fiction — but I'm excited to dive into this one, which Kirkus called "a truly great celebrity memoir." Perhaps not surprisingly for a superstar whose career has spanned five decades, this is the first of two volumes; it covers her early life and tumultuous, high-profile relationship with Sonny Bono, among other things. Part two is due sometime in 2025. | | | | Allie Takeda, Senior Managing Editor | | | | We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. |
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