shipshape and Bristol fashion

== English == === Etymology === As regards the adjective, Bristol was the most prosperous port of west-coast Britain, and its shipping was regarded as maintained at a high quality. The adverb is probably derived from the adjective as it is first attested slightly later. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈʃɪpʃeɪp n̩ ˌbɹɪstəl ˈfæʃn̩/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈʃɪpˌʃeɪp n̩ ˌbɹɪstəl ˈfæʃən/ Rhymes: -æʃən Hyphenation: ship‧shape and Bri‧stol fash‧ion === Adjective === shipshape and Bristol fashion (not comparable) (chiefly UK, dated) (nautical) Of a vessel: tidy, and with its equipment in good order, properly stowed, etc.; shipshape. (figurative) Neatly and properly arranged or organized; neat and tidy, tidy. Synonyms: (UK slang, dated) all Sir Garnet, squared away; see also Thesaurus:orderly Antonyms: see Thesaurus:disorderly ==== Alternative forms ==== Bristol fashion and shipshape, ship-shape and Bristol-fashion ==== Translations ==== === Adverb === shipshape and Bristol fashion (not comparable) (chiefly UK, dated) In a neat and tidy, or proper, manner; properly, tidily. ==== Translations ==== === References === === Further reading === “shipshape and Bristol fashion, adjectival phrase” under “shipshape, adj. and adv.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, December 2025.