Apple-Pie Order “Put the craft a little into apple-pie order.” —MARRYAT: Jacob Faithful (1835). To be “in apple-pie order,” or “as orderly as an apple-pie,” means anything which is arranged precisely and neatly in perfect order, and thus pleasing to the sight ; but why should an apple-pie be more orderly than any other pie ? Languages are often modified, sometimes imperceptibly, by the impingement of foreign words and phrases on...

An Axe To Grind “When I see a merchant over-polite to his customers, think I, that man has an axe to grind.”—CILAS MINER. : Who’ll Turn Grindstones? (1815). This phrase connotes selfish and personally interested motives in ostensibly public service—a suggestion of pulling strings behind the scenes for private ends. “Jobbery” and “log-rolling” are terms which are closely associated with political axe-grinding. Our phrase is founded on a story told by...

Lick Into Shape “Arts and sciences are not cast in a mould, but are formed and perfected by degrees, by often handling and polishing, as bears leisurely lick their cubs into form.”—MONTAIGNE. Words are frequently met in all languages the meanings of which have been totally changed in the course of time. The original and usual meaning of “lick” is to pass over with the tongue. as many animals caress their...