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

Well, honey, back in the day before electronic payments, people would actually have to physically cut a check from a checkbook to pay someone. So, the phrase "cut a check" simply refers to the act of writing a check as a form of payment. It's as simple as that, darling.

Answer 3

Oh, dude, so like, the phrase "cut a check" comes from the old-school days when people literally had to physically cut a check from a checkbook to pay someone. It's like, a super outdated term now that we just tap our phones to send money, but hey, history, right? So yeah, next time someone says "cut a check," just imagine them with a pair of scissors and a checkbook, living in the Stone Age.

Answer 4

The phrase "cut a check" originated from the physical act of writing a check to pay for something. The term "cut" refers to the action of physically cutting a check from a checkbook. This phrase has evolved to mean making a payment or providing funds for a specific purpose.

Answer 5

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