criss-cross applesauce

== English == === Etymology === === Pronunciation === === 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” or “spoons in your lap”. Spelling varies, as it is primarily spoken and not written, but “criss-cross applesauce” and “criss cross applesauce” are most common. ==== Synonyms ==== cross-legged Indian style tailor-fashion