Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

criss-cross applesauce

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.47 in modern English

Syllables
criss-cross ap-ple-sauce
IPA
30
Scrabble Score
20
Letters
4
Syllables
10
Unique Chars

Meaning

adv

(of sitting): Cross-legged.

American usage

Example Sentences

Etymology

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 an 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.

Usage

Synonyms

cross-legged Indian style tailor-fashion

Questions

What does criss-cross applesauce mean?
(of sitting): Cross-legged.
Where does criss-cross applesauce come from?
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 an 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.

How to pronounce criss-cross applesauce

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “criss-cross applesauce”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “criss-cross applesauce”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “criss-cross applesauce” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.