I heard some kids call something cheesy today, and I began to wonder how "cheese" came to mean something cheap and chintzy. I went to word detective who said it is because of the unpleasant smell of overripe cheese. But I surely question that. After all, "cheesy" means shoddy or cheap...not unpleasant. Any other thoughts?

BTW, I was intrigued by their explanation of "big cheese." I had always wondered how "big cheese" (someone important) and "cheesy" could mean something so opposite. I understand that it evolved as a mutation of Urdu, for the word "chiz." Yet, "chiz" means "thing." Strange how "thing" evolved to mean "someone important."

Makes me think of a song we sing:

I love cheesy poofs
you love cheesy poofs
if it weren't for cheesy poofs
we'd all be dead.

Unfortunatly, I think it might actually be from that horrible show, South Park. The song is good, though.

--- Cheesy grin

Being from Wisconsin, I am a little sensitive about the reference to being cheesy or, worse, a cheesehead.

quote:

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Originally posted by Kalleh:
Being from Wisconsin, I am a little sensitive about the reference to being _cheesy_ or, worse, a _cheesehead_.

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Hey, we've got Tillamook and Bandon cheese here in Oregon, so you aren't the only cheesehead! ;-) Oh, did you ever notice that the Wisconsin cheesehead hat is a coxcomb?

Have you all seen the Wallace and Gromit cartoon "A Grand Day Out" where Wallace and Gromit make a space ship and travel to the moon for cheese?