Definition of rustle up

The origin of the phrase "rustle up" can be traced back to the mid-19th century in the English language. At that time, the verb "rustle" was commonly used to describe the sound of leaves or other dry materials being crumpled or shaken, such as the rustling of a curtain in the wind. The use of "rustle up" as a phrase, meaning to prepare food quickly and efficiently, is believed to have originated from this verb. The phrase gained popularity in the late 1800s, particularly in the context of farmhouse kitchens and rural communities, where cooking skills were essential for survival. The "up" part of the phrase is believed to imply a sense of urgency or promptness, as in "to have ready" or "to raise". This would suggest that the person asking for the dish to be prepared quickly could be referring to a unexpected guest or sudden change in plans that requires food to be served or packed up, as in the expression "rustle up a sack lunch". Overall, "rustle up" represents a unique and colorful way of expressing the act of preparing food in the English language, one that has stood the test of time due to its descriptive and memorable quality.