Kamil Perry
Swiss cheese is a variety of cheese that originates from Switzerland and is known for its distinctive holes, which are known as eyes. The term Swiss cheese is often used as a response to express a feeling of being disrespected or overlooked, similar to the British expression Who's she? The cat's mother?. It implies that the person feels like they are being treated as insignificant or unimportant, much like how Swiss cheese is full of holes and may be perceived as lacking in substance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of varieties | Over 500 |
| Country of origin | Switzerland |
| Typical colour | Pale yellow |
| Flavour | Milquetoast, nutty, sweet |
| Texture | Hard, with holes ("eyes") |
| Production | Requires three types of bacteria |
| Use | Commonly used in sandwiches |
| Cultural significance | Expresses being overlooked or disrespected |
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What You'll Learn
- Swiss cheese is used to express a feeling of being overlooked
- It's similar to the British expression Who's she The cat's mother
- Swiss cheese is a generic term for any variety of cheese that resembles Emmental
- Swiss cheese has a distinctive appearance due to the holes known as eyes
- The term Swiss cheese is sometimes used in India and the US
Swiss cheese is used to express a feeling of being overlooked
Swiss cheese is used as an expression to convey a feeling of being overlooked or disrespected. The phrase "What am I, Swiss cheese?" is a retort to being treated as insignificant or being talked down to. It is similar to the expression "Who's she? The cat's mother?", conveying the idea of "Who am I? Nobody?". The holes in Swiss cheese are likened to being full of holes, implying that one is insignificant or lacking substance.
This phrase has been used in various forms, such as "I am not a potted plant," expressing the sentiment of not receiving deserved respect. The expression also has a darker connotation in slang, where "Swiss cheesed" or "getting Swiss cheesed" refers to being shot multiple times and riddled with holes. This slang usage has been popularised through social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube, and in video games like GTA 5 and Escape From Tarkov.
The usage of Swiss cheese as an expression appears to be derived from its visual characteristics, particularly the holes that are associated with this type of cheese. The holes become a metaphor for being full of gaps or lacking importance, much like how chopped liver, as a side dish, can express a feeling of being overlooked. Swiss cheese, in this context, becomes a way to communicate the feeling of being treated as unimportant or insignificant.
The phrase "What am I, Swiss cheese?" allows the speaker to express their sentiment of being undervalued or disrespected. It conveys the idea that they feel they have been treated as if they are full of holes, lacking substance, or insignificant. This expression provides a unique and memorable way to communicate their feelings of being overlooked or not receiving the respect they believe they deserve.
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It's similar to the British expression Who's she? The cat's mother?
The phrase "Who's she? The cat's mother?" is an idiomatic rebuke directed towards children who have referred to an adult, particularly their mother, in a disrespectful way. The phrase dates back to the mid-19th century or earlier and was commonly used by parents to reprimand their children for being impolite. The phrase implies that the child is referring to their mother as a cat, which was considered a lower creature and thus, the mother would be the "cat's mother".
Similarly, the phrase "What am I, Swiss cheese?" is used when someone feels they are not getting their deserved respect. Swiss cheese, a type of cheese that originated in Switzerland, is known for its distinctive appearance riddled with holes, often referred to as "eyes". So, when someone says "What am I, Swiss cheese?", they are essentially asking, Who am I, then? Nobody?". This phrase is comparable to the British expression "Who's she? The cat's mother?" in terms of conveying a sense of disrespect or being overlooked.
The usage of the phrase "What am I, Swiss cheese?" has been found in several books and is quite similar in meaning to other expressions like "What am I, chopped liver?" and "I am not a potted plant", which became famous after a lawyer used it in a Congressional hearing. The lawyer felt that his role in advising his client was being minimized, and thus, he used this expression to assert his importance and demand respect.
Both the expressions, "What am I, Swiss cheese?" and "Who's she? The cat's mother?" are idiomatic and convey a sense of disrespect or a feeling of being disregarded. They are used as retorts when one feels slighted or disrespected, often in a humorous or sarcastic manner.
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Swiss cheese is a generic term for any variety of cheese that resembles Emmental
Emmental cheese, also known as Emmentaler, has been produced in the Emme Valley in the canton of Bern since the 12th century. It is one of the most recognisable cheeses globally due to its large eyes, which can develop to a considerable size. The size of Emmentaler wheels can also be quite large, weighing up to 265 pounds, a result of historical taxation practices that taxed dairy farmers based on wheel count rather than weight.
In addition to Emmentaler, there are over 500 varieties of cheese made in Switzerland each year, reflecting the country's rich dairy culture and history. Evidence of Swiss cheesemaking dates back to 2500 BC, and the country is renowned for its hard cheeses, such as Sbrinz, which has been produced in central Switzerland for over two millennia.
Swiss cheese is produced in several countries besides Switzerland, including the United States, Finland, Estonia, and Ireland. While the original Swiss cheese is made with raw milk, some modern versions may use pasteurised or part-skim milk. The production of Swiss cheese involves the use of specific bacteria, such as Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus, which contribute to the formation of the eyes and the development of its nutty and sweet flavour.
Overall, the term "Swiss cheese" encompasses a diverse range of cheeses that share similarities with the traditional Emmental variety, known for its distinctive holes and Swiss origins.
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Swiss cheese has a distinctive appearance due to the holes known as eyes
Swiss cheese is a generic term for any variety of cheese that resembles Emmental cheese, a yellow, medium-hard cheese that originated in the Emmental region of Switzerland. Swiss cheese has a distinctive appearance due to the holes known as "eyes". Cheese without these holes is known as "blind".
The eyes develop during the maturation of the cheese. In the later stages of production, propionibacteria consume the lactic acid excreted by other bacteria and release carbon dioxide, which slowly forms bubbles that develop into the eyes. The size of the holes in Swiss cheeses has decreased over time due to modern sanitation practices eliminating debris such as hay dust in the milk.
Emmentaler, one of the most recognizable Swiss cheeses, is known for its large eyes and colossal wheel size, weighing up to 265 pounds. It has been produced in the Emme Valley of Switzerland since the 12th century and earned a protected designation status in 2000.
Swiss cheese is now produced in many countries, including the United States, Finland, Estonia, and Ireland, and is sometimes made with pasteurized or part-skim milk, differing from the traditional Swiss method of using raw milk.
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The term Swiss cheese is sometimes used in India and the US
The term "Swiss cheese" is used to refer to any variety of cheese that resembles Emmental cheese, a yellow, medium-hard cheese that originated in the Emmental region of Switzerland. The term is generic and simply refers to the cheese's country of origin, and does not imply that the cheese is actually made in Switzerland. Swiss cheese is now produced in many countries, including the United States, Finland, Estonia, Ireland, and India, although in India and Australia it is often referred to as Emmental or Emmentaler cheese. In the United States, Baby Swiss and Lacy Swiss are two varieties of Swiss cheese, both of which have small holes and a mild flavor.
The phrase "What am I, Swiss cheese?" is an expression of frustration or indignation, similar to the British expression "Who's she? The cat's mother?". It is used to convey that one feels overlooked or disrespected, as if they are "just something made mostly of holes, like Swiss cheese".
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Frequently asked questions
It means that the person feels they are being overlooked or disrespected.
Swiss cheese is a generic term for any variety of cheese that resembles Emmental cheese, which originated in Switzerland. Swiss cheese is now produced in many countries, including the United States, Finland, Estonia, and Ireland.
Swiss cheese is made from raw or pasteurized/part-skim milk and three types of bacteria: Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus (L. helveticus or L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus), and Propionibacterium (Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermani).
