in apple-pie order
informal phrase

- arranged neatly or perfectly, in perfect order

- very neat, tidy, and well-organized

Merriam-Webster / Collins Dictionary

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ORIGIN

The origin of “in apple-pie order” is uncertain. It may have something to do with a French phrase, nappe pliee, meaning ‘neatly folded’.

It was first recorded in English in 1780 in the journal of the British Royal Navy officer, Admiral Sir Thomas Pasley (1734-1808). He wrote “The sailors were clean and in apple-pie order on Sundays”.

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APPLE IDIOMS

- an apple a day keeps the doctor away = a proverb used to emphasize the importance of eating fruits and vegetables regularly (I suggest, you eat more fruit and vegetables: An apple a day keeps the doctor away.)

- an apple-polisher = a pleaser of someone in authority (Jimmy is always first to help out the boss with any little thing, he’s just an apple-polisher!)

- the apple never falls far from the tree = used to describe someone who behaves in a similar way to his/her parents (Jim’s son also wants to be a doctor, I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.)

- to be American as apple pie = to live a life that is stereotypically American (Watching football on Sunday is as American as apple pie.)

- the apple of my eye = a person who one especially loves and cherishes (John has many grandchildren, but Jessica is his only granddaughter. No wonder she is the apple of his eye.)

- The Big Apple = a nickname for New York City (On my first trip to the U.S. I want to visit The Big Apple, Chicago and San Francisco.)

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SYNONYMS
Neatly and methodically arranged

as fresh as paint, by the book, by the numbers, dapper, fit to be seen, immaculate, impeccable, IN APPLE-PIE ORDER, in good order, in good shape, in tip-top condition, neat and tidy, neat as a pin, neat as a button, presentable, prim and proper, shipshape and Bristol fashion, snazzy, spick-and-span, spiffy, spotless, spruce, well turned out, well arranged, well ordered, well organized

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SMUGGLE OWAD into a conversation today, say something like:

“You can see Jim’s management style from his office, everything is IN APPLE-PIE ORDER.”

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THANKS to Jamie for suggesting today’s OWAD.

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HERZLICHEN DANK to all readers helping me keep OWAD alive with single or monthly donations at:

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and,

Paul Smith, IBAN: DE75 7316 0000 0002 5477 40