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Fair and Square
Fair and Square
Fair and Square : Phrases
Meaning:
Honest and straightforward, especially of business dealings.
Example:
Origin:
In the 16th century 'square' meant 'fair and honest' so 'fair and square' is tautological.
George Puttenham used that meaning of square in The arte of English poesie, 1589:
"[Aristotle] termeth a constant minded man - a square man."
Francis Bacon's essay Of Prophecies, 1604 is the first known use of 'fair and square':
"Faire, and square. The gamester calls fooles holy-day."
