Quizzes & Puzzles1 min ago
Spick and Span.
14 Answers
A man that I adore (he knows who he is.....) has used used the above expression. Poor man's in a panic cos he's had a few days alone & no doubt his casa is a tip.
Can anyone tell us where that originated?
Can anyone tell us where that originated?
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"Spick" because most cleaning staff were South American latinos, or ... "Spicks"
"Span" because "Spick" is a term of endearment which "spans" the geographical and cultural divide between the United States, and their much loved South American immigrant population.
=0)
Okay ... I made that up.
"Spick" because most cleaning staff were South American latinos, or ... "Spicks"
"Span" because "Spick" is a term of endearment which "spans" the geographical and cultural divide between the United States, and their much loved South American immigrant population.
=0)
Okay ... I made that up.
The "spick" is the rope at the front of a boat, used to secure it on a mooring.
The "span" is the rope at the back.
If both ropes are not secured, the boat will drift about, untidily.
To secure a boat neatly, you must secure both the Spick, and the Span.
Hence, the nautical term, spick and span ...
... derived from the expression ... "secure the Spick and Span".
The "span" is the rope at the back.
If both ropes are not secured, the boat will drift about, untidily.
To secure a boat neatly, you must secure both the Spick, and the Span.
Hence, the nautical term, spick and span ...
... derived from the expression ... "secure the Spick and Span".
My Dear Salla, me, being of very high interlect can tell you the origin of what you ask.
The phrase is derived from two archaic words: spick, which was a spike or nail and span, which meant "wood chip." When a ship was polished and new, it was called "spick and span," meaning every nail and piece of wood was untarnished. The phrase originally meant "brand new" but is now used to indicate cleanliness.
The phrase is derived from two archaic words: spick, which was a spike or nail and span, which meant "wood chip." When a ship was polished and new, it was called "spick and span," meaning every nail and piece of wood was untarnished. The phrase originally meant "brand new" but is now used to indicate cleanliness.