Neat as a Pin 📌
Definition: Trim, orderly, immaculately tidy.
Historical Context: This idiom dates back to the late eighteenth century and appeared in print in several works by John Wolcot, who used the pseudonym Peter Pindar, as “neat as a new pin.”
Similar Terms and Expressions:
- Shipshape and Bristol fashion – perfectly neat and in good working order.
- Spick-and-span – very clean and neat, from an obsolete word meaning ’new'.
- In apple-pie order – very well organized and neat.
- Tidy as a mouse in a cheese shop – (Yep, I just made that one up!)
Proverbs Related to Tidy:
- “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” – Originating in the 18th century, this suggests that maintaining a clean home and body is akin to being virtuous.
- “A place for everything and everything in its place.” – Highlights the importance of being organized.
Antonyms:
- Higgledy-piggledy – disorganized, in a state of chaos.
- Disarray – mess, clutter.
- Shambles – a state of disorder.
Literary Reference:
- “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo - A modern classic that teaches the art of decluttering and leading a more organized life.
- “The Delight of Being Ordinary” by Roderick Backman – Delves into the beauty of tidy living in an inspiring, fictional narrative.
Movies for the Meticulous:
- “Marie Kondo’s Tidying Up” - A documentary series that can make even the messiest person want to tidy up.
- “Sleeping with the Enemy” - Although this might encourage over-zealousness, it underscores orderliness!
Songs to Sweep to:
- “Clean Up Song” from Barney & Friends – Nostalgic cleaning tunes.
- “Manic Monday” by The Bangles – Because even the neatest among us battle Monday madness.
Humor-Filled Quote:
- “Dust is a protective coating for fine furniture.” – Mario Buatta.
### Which of these is a real idiom about cleanliness?
- [x] Shipshape and Bristol fashion
- [ ] Perfect panda parade
- [ ] Dancing with clean dragons
- [ ] Neater than a unicorn's nest
> **Explanation:** "Shipshape and Bristol fashion" is a genuine idiom meaning perfectly neat and in good working order.
### Which phrase is genuine?
- [ ] Organized as an octopus festival
- [x] In apple-pie order
- [ ] Tidy as a turnip field
- [ ] Nicely nice as nachos
> **Explanation:** "In apple-pie order" refers to being very well organized and neat.
### True or False: 'Spick-and-span' is an idiom
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** “Spick-and-span” is indeed an idiom and it means being very clean and neat.
Inspirational Thought-Provoker: “Where there is order, there is harmony. Where there is harmony, anything is possible.”
Happy Tidying! 🌟
