Spick and Span
Definition: Neat and clean; well-groomed. Originally referred to something that is brand-new.
Origins: This term comes from the days of sailing ships, with “spick” meaning a spike or nail and “span” referring to a wood chip. Together, they signified something entirely new and pristine. The alliterative combination first appeared in Sir Thomas North’s translation of Plutarch’s “Lives” in 1579, describing armors and cassocks as “spicke, and spanne newe.”
Related Terms:
- Shipshape and Bristol fashion: Meaning everything is neat, tidy, and in good order, especially on a ship.
- Clean as a whistle: Completely clean.
- Neat as a pin: Extremely neat and tidy.
Proverbs & Expressions:
- Cleanliness is next to godliness: This ancient proverb suggests keeping oneself clean is akin to being close to godliness.
- A place for everything and everything in its place: Advocating for organized living.
Literature & References:
- “Bleak House” by Charles Dickens: Mr. Chadband’s insistence on cleanliness as a virtue.
- “The House that Cleans Itself” by Mindy Starns Clark: Practical tips for maintaining a clean home.
- “Pollyanna” (1913) by Eleanor H. Porter: Pollyanna’s Aunt Polly is a stickler for cleanliness, enforcing rules that keep her house, well, spick and span.
Humor-filled Quote: “Whoever said anything was possible obviously never tried to nail jelly to a tree while keeping the kitchen spick and span!” - Cleanus Maximus
Inspirational Saying: “To keep the world spick and span, start with cleaning your corner.” - Author Unknown
Farewell Thought: Remember, keeping your surroundings spick and span can tidy up your mind too. A clean space is a happy place!
— Cleanus Maximus, champion of cleanliness and maintainers of the immaculate.
