Who first came up with the phrase "up to par"? Was it originally a "golf" phrase?

Answer 1

That's a good question. The first documented mention of the word 'golf' is in Edinburgh in 1457, when King James II banned ‘ye golf’, in an attempt to encourage archery practice, which was being neglected.

It's a strong possibility that it did but, much later like in the 16th century when golf became more prevalent when people spoke like this.

Now a days people commonly refer this phrase reflecting their mood or feeling.

Answer 2

up to par, that is actually a score in golf. The object of the game is to have the lowest score below par. Anyone above par will definitely not advance to the second round. As far as who invented the word or phrase, well, who invented golf?

Answer 3

Yes, it looks like it did originate from golf:
Directory > Words > Idioms up to par
Also, up to scratch or snuff or speed or the mark. Satisfactory, up to a given standard, as in She didn't feel up to par today so she stayed home, or I'm sure he'll come up to scratch when the time comes, or She's up to snuff again. Nearly all the versions of this idiom come from sports, par from golf, scratch and mark from boxing (after being knocked down a fighter had eight seconds to make his way to a mark scratched in the center of the ring), and speed from racing. However, the allusion in the variant with snuff

Answer 4

Par is originally form the word pars in latin which means equal. (Thank you Latin 4 Acc)

Answer 5

yep, u got it.