How Did The 'Big Cheese' Nickname Start?
| Updated: 10 Feb 2026
We've all heard someone being called the 'big cheese'. But where did this phrase begin?
Mystery Hour Question
Where does the phrase 'big cheese' come from?
Ellie, Southgate
Answer
Name: Terry, Croydon
Qualification: Found the answer while researching lamb and mint sauce
Answer: Elizabeth I introduced more holy days in order to improve sales of certain items. Only fish and cheese could be eaten on a holy day, so being called the 'big cheese' meant you were earning a lot of money.