not up to snuff
informal

- not acceptable or satisfactory; not attaining a particular standard

Farlex Dictionary

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ORIGIN

Powdered tobacco or “snuff” has been in use since tobacco was first cultivated, and was extremely popular in Europe and America from the 16th through the 19th centuries. The stimulating effect of taking snuff became associated with being clever, sharp, and not easily fooled. Fashionability of snuff was enhanced by its high cost and the elaborate decorative boxes that it was kept in.

The word “snuff” shortened from the Dutch word “snuftabak”, meaning “to draw in through the nose”, imitative of the sound of the action.

Since snuff was largely a habit of adult men of comfortable means, it seems reasonable to assume that “up to snuff” meant “the sort of person who appreciates and uses snuff”, i.e., a worldly man. The use of “up to snuff” to mean “meeting a common standard” arose later in the 19th century.

Sources: Word Detective, Merriam-Webster, Phrase-Finder, World-Wide Words

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THE GRAMMAR GRAFFITISTS

Are you irritated by grammar and spelling that isn’t UP TO SNUFF?

Ever since November 2014 an action group calling themselves “Acción Ortográfica” have been patrolling the streets of Quito, Equador, looking for graffiti in need of correction. Working at night they spray corrected grammatical versions beneath error-riddled texts.

In an anonymous conversation with COLORS Magazine, the group defended their efforts, saying: “It’s a public service and a moral obligation. We’re against language vandalism and we won’t give up until we see a society free of spelling mistakes”.

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SYNONYMS

not up to snuff, not up to standard, not up to the mark, not up to scratch, not up to par, not up to it, not up to expectations

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PRACTICE OWAD in an English conversation, discuss something like:

“I’m afraid my French ISN’T UP TO SNUFF for negotiating, I can barely manage small-talk.”

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THANKS to Hans for suggesting today’s phrase

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HERZLICHEN DANK to all readers helping me keep OWAD alive with single or monthly donations at:

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Paul Smith