Andy Montoya
Big cheese is an idiomatic phrase used to describe a person who holds the most power in a particular situation or organization. The phrase is often used to refer to someone who is an important, powerful, or self-important figure, such as a boss or leader. The earliest recorded use of the phrase big cheese dates back to the early 1900s, with some speculating that it originated from the British involvement in the Crimean War, while others suggest it evolved from the Urdu phrase the real chiz, meaning a big thing or event. Acting like a big cheese typically implies that one is behaving in a manner befitting their perceived importance or status within a given context.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First recorded | 1910-1915 |
| Origin | The phrase likely originated from the British involvement in the Crimean War, where soldiers addressed officers as "sir", which is also the Ukrainian word for "cheese". Another theory suggests that it comes from the Urdu word "chiz", meaning "thing", which was brought to British colonial India. |
| Meaning | A person who holds the most power or is the most important in a situation or organisation. |
| Synonyms | Head honcho, top dog, big shot, big gun, big wheel, big enchilada, main cheese |
| Usage | "She loved being the big cheese of her company." |
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What You'll Learn
The origin of the phrase big cheese
The idiom "big cheese" is used to refer to someone in charge or an important person. The phrase is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century, although its exact origins are uncertain.
One theory suggests that the phrase "the big cheese" may have derived from the earlier expression "the real chiz" or "the real thing," which was used in 19th-century London to describe something positive. The word "chiz" is believed to have come from the Urdu and Hindostanee word "chīz," meaning "thing." Over time, "chiz" may have been misheard or misinterpreted as "cheese" by native English speakers, resulting in the phrase "the cheese" to denote something good or first-rate.
Another theory speculates that the phrase "big cheese" could be related to the presentation of large blocks of cheese as publicity stunts in the early 20th century. These giant cheeses, sometimes weighing over a thousand pounds, were displayed and then ceremonially cut by important people. However, it is unclear whether these cheese displays influenced the idiom or if they were simply a coincidence.
It is worth noting that the phrase "main cheese" may have preceded "big cheese" as a term for an important person. Additionally, the British involvement in the Crimean War and the influence of Urdu and Hindostanee languages during the British colonization of India have also been suggested as possible factors in the evolution of the phrase.
Regardless of its exact origin, the phrase "big cheese" has become a well-known idiom in English, often used to describe someone in a position of power or authority.
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The use of big cheese in modern times
The phrase "big cheese" is used to refer to someone who is important or holds power. The phrase is believed to have originated in the early 1900s, with the earliest known usage in its modern sense dating back to 1906. The phrase likely evolved from the Urdu word "chiz", which means "thing", and the British colonization of India, which brought English and Urdu speakers together. The phrase "the real chiz" was used to describe something big or important, and over time, it evolved into "big cheese".
In modern times, the phrase "big cheese" is still used to refer to someone important or influential. It is often used in a light-hearted or humorous way to describe a person who is in a position of power or authority. For example, one might refer to their boss or CEO as "the big cheese" of their company. The phrase is also used in media and popular culture to describe powerful or influential people, such as politicians, celebrities, or industry leaders.
In addition, the phrase "big cheese" can be used in a more literal sense to describe an actual large cheese, especially in the context of cheese-making or dairy regions. For example, in the early 1900s, it was a trend in the United States to produce and display enormous "big cheeses", some weighing over a thousand pounds. These large cheeses were often created as a display of enterprise and presented to notable figures, such as President Andrew Jackson.
The phrase "big cheese" has also inspired other similar phrases, such as "main cheese", which is used interchangeably with "big cheese" to describe someone important. Other phrases with similar meanings include "head honcho" and "top dog".
Overall, the phrase "big cheese" has endured and remains a part of modern vernacular, especially when referring to someone who is important or powerful.
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Synonyms of big cheese
The phrase "big cheese" is used to refer to someone who holds a high position or is the most important person in a situation. It is believed that the phrase originated from the British colonization of India, where English and Urdu speakers would use the phrase "the real chiz" to mean "a big thing or event". The Urdu word "chiz" means "thing", and it is thought that the phrase evolved into "big cheese" over time.
- Top dog: This phrase is used to describe someone who is the most powerful or successful in a group or organization.
- Head honcho: Refers to a person who is in charge or in a position of authority.
- Heavyweight: Someone who holds a position of importance or influence.
- Big gun: A person of significance or influence, often with considerable power or resources.
- Bigwig: A term used to describe someone who is important, influential, or high-ranking.
- High-roller: This phrase refers to a person with wealth, influence, or importance, especially in terms of financial resources.
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The evolution of big cheese from Urdu
The idiom "big cheese" refers to an important person, usually a boss or someone in a position of authority. The phrase is believed to have originated in the late 1800s and has evolved over time. While the exact etymology of the phrase is uncertain, it is speculated that it may have derived from the Urdu word "chiz", which means "thing".
During the British colonization of India, English speakers adopted the phrase "the real chiz" from Urdu speakers, signifying "a big item or occurrence". This phrase evolved into "big cheese", likely influenced by the presentation of large cheeses as gifts to notable figures such as President Thomas Jefferson in 1802 and 1799. The earliest recorded use of "big cheese" in its modern figurative sense was in a 1906 publication, where it was used to describe a colonel who served with distinguished honours.
Another possible influence on the popularization of the phrase in the early 1900s was the creation of giant wheels of cheese, weighing up to 1250 pounds, by American farm families. The term main cheese may have also preceded "big cheese" as a reference to an important person. The phrase "big cheese" can be used respectfully or sarcastically, indicating that the person is perceived as significant within their context.
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Examples of big cheese in pop culture
The phrase "big cheese" refers to the person who holds the most power in a given situation. While the exact origin of the phrase is uncertain, it is believed to have derived from the Urdu word "chiz", meaning "thing", which evolved into the phrase "the real chiz" during the British colonization of India, eventually becoming "big cheese".
- Movies and TV shows: The "big cheese" has made its way into numerous movies and TV shows over the years. For instance, in the classic animated series "Spongebob Squarepants", cheese is a recurring gag. In the 2006 romantic comedy "She's the Man", a charming conversation about cheese takes place between the characters played by Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum. Another example is the "Full House" episode where Stephanie reveals her specialty snack: cheese doughnuts.
- Music: The phrase has also found its way into the music industry. Biggie Cheese, a rapping mouse from the animated film "Barnyard", has become a cultural icon. Artists have sampled Biggie Cheese's songs in their own tracks, and the character has inspired a devoted following that continues to celebrate its legacy through memes and fan art.
- Literature: Cheese has been a part of literature for centuries, often serving as a metaphor for various aspects of life. Jane Austen, for example, used cheese to explore the complexities of human existence.
- Classic Entertainment: Classic entertainment franchises like "Tom and Jerry" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" have regularly celebrated cheese, or cheese pizza, as a pivotal food item.
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Frequently asked questions
To act like a big cheese means to act like an important or influential person. In a workplace setting, it could mean to act like the boss or the person in charge.
The exact origin of the phrase is uncertain, but there are several theories. One theory suggests that it comes from the British involvement in the Crimean War, where soldiers would address officers as "sir," which is similar to the Ukrainian word for "cheese." Another theory suggests that it comes from the Urdu word "chiz," which means "thing," and was influenced by the British colonization of India, where the phrase "the real chiz" meant "a big thing or event."
The phrase "big cheese" is often used to describe someone who holds a position of power or influence within a specific group or organization. For example, "Donald Trump is the big cheese at Trump International."
Yes, there are several other idiomatic phrases that are similar in meaning to "big cheese," including top dog, head honcho, big shot, and big gun.
