What is the origin of the phrase cut a check?

Answer 1

In Jewish custom before and around 1 AD, legal contracts between parties involved a cutting rite. The most easily identifiable examples are recorded in the OT. "Cutting a check" would be a form of a contract or agreement between two or more parties.

Checks did not exist in 1 AD. Checks first appeared in the United States around 1781, with the formation of the Bank of North America. Printed checks existed in England somewhat earlier around 1720, with banks formed from earlier goldsmiths bankers. "Cutting a check" actually refers to the cutting out of a printed check from a larger printed sheet. Perforation was not used in these early days of checks. A small blade or knife was used to cut out the check. Hence, "cutting a check" meant you were producing a check for payment. Often the swerved cut from the blade was used to later match up the record stub and cut out check.

Financial agreements and promissory notes did exist in Biblical times, but the phrase "cut a check" was not used then.

Answer 2

It is influenced by "exchequer", from the old French "eschequier".