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Gammerstang commented on the word real cheese
(noun) - (1) The Anglo-Indian, by his rough-and-ready adaptation of native words and expressions . . . is responsible for the currency today of many popular sayings. Amongst others, such a source has been suggested for the common expression the real cheese, meaning the real thing, quite in fashion, or up to date. There is a Persian and Hindustani word chiz, meaning thing, and a young Anglo-Indian would frequently say, "My new horse is the real chiz," easily corruptible into the English cheese.
--A. Wallace's Popular Sayings Dissected, 1895
(2) Duck's meat, hardened mucous in the corners of the eyes after sleeping.
--William Patterson's Glossary of . . . the Counties of Antrim and Down, 1880
January 14, 2018