There are a few theories out there about the origins of the expression "the real mccoy." Click here and read about the possibilities. Regardless of where or who the expression originated with the meaning of it is clear - it's the authentic thing.
There are two probable origins for this idiom and I think both are equally plausible. The first one is that when you spread butter on bread you are buttering it up like one would do when trying to flatter someone. The second is in ancient India there was a practice of throwing balls of butter at statues to ask for favor, i.e. buttering them up. ( source ) When we use the phrase today we generally mean that extreme flattery is used to gain information or favor. It's not always necessarily a compliment.
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