Up to snuff?
Japanese snuff bottle, circa 1900
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Snuff is tobacco in powdered form designed to be sniffed into the nose.
If someone is said to be ‘up to snuff’ it means they are considered capable, knowing, astute. It is a phrase that has been in use since the 19th century.
Snuff comes in many guises. Some is pure ‘fine’ snuff made from a blend of tobacco leaves. Other snuffs have scents or flavours added, like coffee, orange or whisky. Individual customers may have snuff prepared to their own requirements.
The apparatus associated with snuff is collectable and includes snuff boxes made from a variety of materials, some valuable and intricate, small spoons, and bottles. It is important to keep snuff dry in airtight containers.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
My prejudice against snuff stems from my mother remarking that it was a dirty habit. I suppose she must have known people who took snuff. I have only ever met one snuff sniffer, once, a very long time ago.
A more up-to-date expression is ‘up to scratch’. It derives from bare-knuckle boxing which differed from street fighting in that it was governed by a set of rules. At the beginning of each round opponents would be required to stand with their toes against a line scratched in the ground, to ‘start from scratch’. Any boxer not able to do so was considered defeated. After a knockdown a boxer had eight seconds to make his way unaided to a cross in the centre of the ring. If he failed, he was not allowed to continue.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Bare-knuckle fighting originated in 17th century England. Though most competitors were male, some females also took part. By the late 19th century bare-knuckle fighting had given way to fighting with boxing gloves. However, there has been a resurgence of bare-knuckle boxing in the 21st century. It is not a pretty sport.
Post script: I really hated writing this post, particularly the section about snuff, but I had started it and felt I must finish. Perhaps you have hated reading it . . .
No. I find history fascinating. I've been watching Antiques Road Trip (up to season 18) I've seen a number of beautiful snuff boxes, made out of all manner of materials.
ReplyDeleteIt seems odd to have such beautiful objects for something so distasteful and there are some really beautiful snuff boxes.
DeleteYou always find such interesting things to write about!
ReplyDeleteI started off with 'up to scratch' and that led me to 'up to snuff' . . .
DeleteI have never seen the attraction to snuff nor any other form of tobacco. As for fighting, no thank you. I've no wish to watch people pummel each other bloody and unconscious.
ReplyDeleteNever have liked the idea of snuff . . .
DeleteInsights into history of very common things are always interesting. Enjoyed reading this. I have known people who use the snuff. It's a common habit among some people, especially in small towns and villages. I haven't seen anyone using it in the cities. I don't know if they do it privately.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting - a cultural habit, maybe.
DeleteI have never seen any one snuff snuff, but I've seen loads of snuff boxes at Antique centres, they seem to be quite a collectable items. and very pretty.
ReplyDeleteThey are very pretty and I believe some are very valuable.
DeleteNot hated but snuff rates alongside smoking and drugs for me. A big 'no way'.
ReplyDeleteSnuff boxes can be beautiful though xx
It's not a habit I could ever enjoy observing.
DeleteI don't like cigarettes, cigars, vapes, snuff or anything related, but the top photo of a Japanese snuff jar is perfect - the colours, the shape and the decoration.
ReplyDeleteThe jar is beautiful - the contents, not.
ReplyDeleteI've known people who use snuff. It's a tobacco thing, then I really just don't like but that's their business. The one thing I do like is those beautiful pictures that you showed of the boxes. Now those are something worth seeing.
ReplyDeleteThey are very collectable and most attractive.
DeleteHeHe! Yes! We don't get enough of the cats
ReplyDeleteand dogs and Gilbert...Your hogging ALL the
PC/Laptop...and not letting the pets air their
views...
And besides 'snuff' has a totally different
meaning for me....! :O).
💛🌱🌸🌱💜💛🌱🌸🌱💜💛🌱🌸
The cats and dogs have quite enough influence . . .
DeleteI am old enough to remember the occasional snuff user. As for boxing being the 'noble art' (so called, I believe, because one cannot hit someone from behind their back) I have always thought of it as rather barbaric.
ReplyDeleteProperly regulated boxing is fine, but sometimes the referees aren't as sharp as they should be.
DeleteIt's as fascinating as your other posts about historical stuff and such, so why would I hate it? The only thing is, I've got a cold, causing prickly sinuses, and just the mere thought of snuff is making me sneeze! Achoo! xxx
ReplyDeleteNot another cold, Ann - you really are suffering lately. Get well! x x x
DeleteI did not hate it. It was informative and very easy to read!
ReplyDeleteMy thanks to you, Elizabeth. It was the snuff that got to me, not the boxing:-)
DeleteI didn't hate reading this post ...
ReplyDeleteIt was certainly a different topic but interesting.
I think that Snuff box circa 1730-1740 looks very nice.
Enjoy the rest of your evening and have a good day tomorrow.
All the best Jan
Thank you, Jan.
ReplyDelete