Apple-pie order
noun, slang
noun, slang ·Uncommon ·College level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A neat and tidy arrangement or organization; a perfect order. colloquial, dated, uncountable
"And he was devoted to his books, which were in apple-pie order."
Example
More examples"And he was devoted to his books, which were in apple-pie order."
Etymology
Unknown. First recorded in 1780 in the sea journal of an Englishman. There are two mainstream theories as to its origin, although there is no evidence for either: * French cap-à-pied (“head to foot”) * French nappe pliée (“folded linen”) The proposed nappe pliée fits more closely with the date of first attestation.