Open and Aboveboard
Meaning: Honest and fair.
Origin: This term comes from the rule that players, when dealing cards, must keep their hands above the board (i.e., table). Presumably, keeping their hands under the table could lead to suspicious shenanigans, like switching cards. The expression first appeared in print as early as 1608, in Joseph Hall’s “Virtues and Vices”: “All his dealings are square, and aboue the board.” It has been used thus ever since.
Related Terms & Similar Expressions:
- Straight Shooter: Someone who is honest and straightforward.
- On the Level: Something or someone that can be trusted and is truthful.
- Above Reproach: Beyond criticism, flawless in integrity.
- No Skeletons in the Closet: Without any hidden secrets or past transgressions.
Modern Usage:
You’ll hear this idiom in contexts where transparency and honesty are praised, such as in business negotiations, relationships, and politics.
Quotes to Ponder:
“Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” —C.S. Lewis
“Honesty is the best policy. If I lose mine honor, I lose myself.” —William Shakespeare
“Keep your hands above the table, personalize your assets, and fold your napkins!” —Anonymous Card Player
Proverbs and Wisdom:
“Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain’t going away.” —Elvis Presley
“The honest man is the best card in the pack.” —English Proverb
Recommended by the Bookshelf:
- “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee - Crafted with honesty and integrity as the backbone of the narrative.
- “Lying” by Sam Harris - A deep dive into why we lie and the impact of honesty.
- “The Honest Truth About Dishonesty” by Dan Ariely - Merges psychology with behavioral economics to question our concepts of honesty.
Tune-In:
- Song: “Honesty” by Billy Joel - Because ‘honesty is such a lonely word, everyone is so untrue.’
- Movie: “Liar Liar” starring Jim Carrey - A hilarious take on what happens when honesty becomes a compulsion.
- Poetry: “If” by Rudyard Kipling - An inspirational poem steering readers towards integrity.
Friends, remember, while life’s a bit of a gamble at times, the safest bets are always made when your dealings are open and aboveboard. Stay truthful, transparent, and, most importantly, keep enjoying the game we call life.
