mom and apple pie

mom and apple pie

A core principle, value, belief, characteristic, aspect, etc., of the United States of America or its citizens. Sometimes used sarcastically or ironically. If you've ever wondered what it means to be an American, just look at Bob Fisk down the street—he's about as mom and apple pie as it gets. It doesn't surprise me at all that their tax overhaul would turn out this complex—after all, convoluted taxes are as American as mom and apple pie.
See also: and, apple, mom, pie
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • motherhood and apple pie
  • take (something) under consideration
  • take under advisement
  • take (something) under advisement
  • advisement
  • (well,) I never!
  • twenty-twenty hindsight, with
  • come again
  • come again?
  • vote of confidence
References in periodicals archive
In an election year in which Mom and apple pie issues traditionally are important to politicians, the fact that the "No Child Left Behind" Administration would consider taking scarce spectrum away from educators became a problem for the FCC--enough of a problem to outweigh free market regulatory theories.
Education's role as a lobbying force: the battle for ITFS shows IHE's strength
Cats and dogs are like mom and apple pie. Most people prefer them to other people."
Arnie told: Terminate pet killing
Along with Mickey and Chevy and baseball, the only thing greater, of course, is mom and apple pie.
THE REALITY OF FATE
Although the contemporary literature of moral philosophy is awash with devout invocations of a vaguely specified ideal of autonomy - it is the profession's equivalent of mom and apple pie - this is only one corner, and by no means the most fruitful, of current liberal theory.
Against Liberalism
However, Maxwell says, such a "Mom and apple pie statement" in itself does nothing other than encourage various USDA agencies, such as APHIS and the Agricultural Research Service, to begin formulating specific plans.
Texans devise battle plan for bee invasion
"The public is wary of the changes in the family, which is still seen as mom and apple pie. It's a lot easier to go after homosexuals than single moms."
The new activism