the crust of the matter

[Damien Hall]

Tom posted:

> from a recent post:

> "The crust of the matter is, my responsibility as an ESL teacher is to
> teach them the second language so that they can enter the real world..."

> Good point.  Nothing like a good crust.

Another one for the Eggcorn Database, ISTM. 'Crust of the matter' > 'the
bit that's most obvious' or 'the bit that surrounds/encompasses the rest'
(as the crust on an uncut loaf) > the usual meaning of 'the crux of the
matter'?

Damien

--
Damien Hall

University of York
Department of Language and Linguistic Science
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