Meaning & Analysis
Derived from the appearance of horses or dogs, 'cut' refers to an animal with a docked tail (a common workhorse or cur), while 'longtail' refers to one with a full tail, often signifying a nobler breed. The phrase literally means 'all types of animals', and by extension, 'all sorts of people'.
Insights
Universal Inclusion
The proverb metaphorically signifies absolute inclusivity, meaning 'everyone and everything, without exception'. It encompasses the entire range of possibilities or people, from the lowest to the highest status.
Unconditional Readiness
It conveys a sense of unconditional readiness or acceptance. The speaker is prepared to welcome, engage with, or challenge all comers, regardless of their quality, value, or social standing.
Defiance of Distinction
The phrase suggests a disregard for social hierarchy. It implies that in a particular situation, the usual distinctions between the common ('cut') and the noble ('longtail') are irrelevant.
Historical Social Hierarchy
The proverb's meaning is rooted in the historical practice of docking the tails of workhorses ('cut') versus leaving the tails of noble or riding horses untouched ('longtail'). This distinction made the phrase a vivid symbol of the entire social spectrum, from the common to the elite.
Elizabethan and Jacobean Slang
Its frequent use by playwrights like Shakespeare and Jonson indicates its status as a popular, earthy slang expression in the 16th and 17th centuries, used to convey a sense of 'all and sundry' or 'everyone, regardless of rank'.
Psychology of Social Levelling
The phrase psychologically levels social distinctions, expressing a democratic or defiant attitude. It can be an open invitation to all or a boastful challenge to any competitor, erasing class barriers in a specific context.
Rhetorical Devices
Antithesis
The phrase is built on the direct contrast between 'cut' (curtailed, common) and 'longtail' (complete, noble), creating a powerful and memorable image that encapsulates the idea of 'all types'.
Synecdoche
The tail styles, 'cut' and 'longtail', stand in for the animals themselves and, by extension, for different social classes. This use of a part to represent the whole is a classic example of synecdoche.
Idiomatic Expression
The phrase's meaning is not literal but idiomatic, relying on shared cultural and historical knowledge about animal husbandry and class symbols to be understood.
Transcription
Quotations
[She] could set out her tail with as good grace as any she in Florence, come cut and long-tail.
Attir'd just to the Court-cut, and long tayle.
As long as it [tobacco] lasts, come cut and long-taile, we'll spend it as liberally for his sake. [c1607]
I think there's some Match at Football towards, the Colliers against the whole Country cut, and long tail.
Love and money sweeps all before them, be they cut or longtayle.
I will have 'em all; come cut and longtail.
Shakespeare Citations
Ay, that I will, come cut and long-tail, under the degree of a squire!
And, for a jig, come cut and long-tail to him! He turns ye like a top.
Cross References
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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