In apple-pie order
Meaning
To be arranged perfectly and tidily, with everything in its proper place.
Origin
Picture a bustling 18th-century English kitchen, where the aroma of baking pies filled the air. While the exact recipe for "in apple-pie order" is debated, one delightful theory suggests a linguistic twist: a corruption of the old French "nappe pliée," meaning "folded tablecloth." Imagine the crisp, meticulous folds of a perfectly ironed linen, ready for an elegant dinner—a true vision of absolute tidiness. Alternatively, the phrase might simply draw inspiration from the beautiful, symmetrical arrangement of apple slices within a perfectly crafted pie, each piece laid just so, ensuring both a delectable and visually appealing dessert. Either way, this phrase quickly became the quintessential description for anything impeccably neat and perfectly arranged.
Examples
- Before the guests arrived, Sarah made sure the living room was in apple-pie order, not a cushion out of place.
- The mechanic always keeps his workshop in apple-pie order, with every tool neatly hung on its designated peg.