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spit and polish

Browse the Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

spit-and-polish

Main Entry:: spit and polish
Function:: noun
Etymology:: from the practice of polishing objects such as shoes by spitting on them and then rubbing them with a cloth
Date:: 1895

: extreme attention to cleanliness, orderliness, smartness of appearance, and ceremony often at the expense of operational efficiency

— spit–and–polish adjective

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