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Definition 2025

criss-cross_applesauce

criss-cross applesauce

English

Adverb

criss-cross applesauce ‎(not comparable)

(childish, US, regional, idiomatic) (of sitting): cross-legged

Usage notes

Generally used by nursery school and primary school teachers to children, sometimes followed by “spoons in the bowl” to mean “hands in your lap”, strengthening analogy with a bowl of applesauce; alternatively, “spoons in your bowl”, “spoons in your lap”.

Spelling varies, as it is primarily said, not written, but “criss-cross applesauce” and “criss cross applesauce” are most common.

Synonyms

Etymology

Rhyming on criss-cross, particularly with a word familiar to children and teachers, possibly with similarity to lap forming a bowl.

Apparently originated in the 1990s US, as a politically correct alternative for Indian style.

Compare also traditional children’s rhyming game / massage (rhyme said while touching, tickling, and blowing), which goes:

Criss, cross. Apple sauce.

Spiders climbing up your back.

Spiders here, Spiders there.

Spiders even in your hair.

Cool breeze,

Tight squeeze,

And now you have the shivers.

Brrrrrrr.

—YouTube video demonstrating