The Big Cheese
Thomas Jefferson (l.) and Andrew Jackson (r.)
(Library of Congress)
Who doesn’t love cheese (except for those who might be lactose intolerant)?
We even have popular expressions that involve cheese in numerous phrases – such as “say cheese” when snapping a photo, “cheese it” – the now-passé jargon for leave it or hide it, and a few more that are better left unsaid. The most popular of the colloquialisms might be calling someone “the big cheese” – when describing a person of great importance. The idiom goes back over two centuries to the Presidential election of 1800, when Thomas Jefferson defeated the incumbent John Adams for the role of Commander-in-Chief.
If we think elections are ruinous these days, we cannot imagine how awful they were in the early 1800s. Slander, libel, and duels were all common weapons in those days. Both Adams and Jefferson were the recipients of myriad attacks and deliberate smears, and it’s quite miraculous that either one survived with their reputations during the election year.
The majority of the populace in New England, who were in favor of John Adams, detested Thomas Jefferson. They believed (incorrectly) that he was an atheist and libertine. There were some in that area, though, who were in favor of the 3rd President, and when he was elected, one man from Massachusetts wanted to give him a significant gift – one that would not be passed over lightly from recognition.
Jefferson loved cheese. His favorite dish, in fact, was macaroni and cheese, a dish he discovered and enjoyed frequently while serving in Europe as a diplomat for the newly formed United States, beginning in 1784. He spent most of his time during that mission in France, but it was in Italy where he discovered pasta smothered in cheese sauce. He brought the recipe back to the United States and it was often served at his home in Monticello and at the White House. (He did the same for ice cream – another American favorite.)
Since Jefferson’s affinity for cheese was well known, upon his election to the Presidency, a Massachusetts reverend named John Leland thought that bestowing a gigantic cheese to the new leader would be appropriate.
The Reverend Leland asked his congregation to help him. On a certain day of the week, each parishioner contributed the milk from that day. An extremely large cider press was constructed as the receptacle, and after many weeks enough milk was gathered and the pressing process began – according to the history books, the congregation turned out for the event with hymn singing and prayers. When the cheese was finally cured and dried, it weighed close to a ton – at 1,600 pounds.
It was late in the year 1801 when Reverend Leland was able to get the gigantic cheese placed on a sleigh, and he began his journey to Washington. The journey lasted three weeks. Since the creation of the huge cheese had made national news, people from Massachusetts to Washington – including some of the Pennsylvania populace – turned out to see the big cheese.
The immense gift had an emblem etched upon it, which was an adage that Jefferson often used: “Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God.”
The new President also knew about his forthcoming present, and was most agreeable, and grateful, to receive it. The big cheese arrived shortly after the New Year, on January 2, 1802 – after Jefferson had already spent several months in office (since March 1801).
Jefferson naturally shared his big cheese with many tasters, and it was on display as well for many months.
The gesture was repeated in 1835 when a dairy farmer presented President Andrew Jackson – also a cheese aficionado – with a giant cheese weighing about 1400 pounds. The cheese lasted for over two years, until the end of his term. He served the cheese at his last public reception in 1837. There were thousands present, and within a few hours the “big cheese” had been consumed.
Hence, with two of our most famed Presidents presented with such momentous gifts, we still call someone of significant importance – albeit a bit impolitely – as The Big Cheese. The election of Thomas Jefferson created the aphorism, and a constituent of Andrew Jackson cemented it.
The colossal cheeses received almost as much notice – enduring both positive and negative press – as their Presidential recipients.
Why anyone would want to run for public office is the ultimate mystery, but at least Jefferson and Jackson got something they enjoyed from their contentious tenures.
Pass the word!
