Spick and Span (Origin)
What Is the Origin of the Saying "Spick and Span"?
The term spick and span means brand new. This term has a nautical origin. Spick meant nails (or spike) and span meant wooden shavings. On a new sailing ship, the nails would still be shiny and the wooden shavings from manufacture would still be present. Therefore, a new ship would be all spick and span.Would you like to offer another origin for the saying "Spick and Span"? Please tell us using this form.
See Also
A list of common grammar errors A list of easily confused words A list of sayings and proverbs
