Mustard is a spicy yellow or brown condiment made from the crushed seeds of the mustard plant, mixed with vinegar, water, and sometimes other spices. You've probably seen it squeezed onto hot dogs at baseball games or spread on sandwiches alongside mayonnaise and ketchup. The bright yellow kind, called yellow mustard, has a sharp, tangy flavor that makes your taste buds tingle. Dijon mustard, which comes from France, tastes smoother and more sophisticated, while spicy brown mustard has a stronger kick.

The mustard plant has been cultivated for thousands of years, and ancient Romans were already mixing crushed mustard seeds into a paste.

When someone says they can't cut the mustard, they mean they can't meet expectations or do what's required, like a player who can't cut the mustard on the varsity team. And if you do something with mustard, you're doing it with extra enthusiasm and energy.