motherhood and apple pie

motherhood 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 motherhood and apple pie as it gets. It doesn't surprise me at all that their tax overhaul would turn out this ridiculous—after all, convoluted taxes are as American as motherhood and apple pie.
See also: and, apple, motherhood, pie
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

motherhood and apple pie

Fig. an often parodied sentiment expressed about allegedly quintessential elements of American home life. Fred is so old-fashioned. Everything about old times is good to him. He's all motherhood and apple pie.
See also: and, apple, motherhood, pie
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • mom 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
PROMISES of 'motherhood and apple pie' from Dave Anderson, plus a kicking for the Tories.
Let's be realistic about economy; FEEDBACK
Essay titles include "Was Boyd Truly Born Again?" "The Crimes of Old King Coal," "Motherhood and Apple Pie," and "Raylan Learns to Restrain Himself." A last chapter discusses recent real-life homicide cases, and poses the question of what we, as a society, consider justifiable homicide.
Justified and Philosophy: Shoot First, Think Later
Justin Welby accused Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) boss Stephen Hester of resorting to "motherhood and apple pie" responses as he grilled him on the financial giant's "duty to society".
Bishop challenges banker on 'duty'
Bishop of Durham Justin Welby accused Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) boss Stephen Hester of resorting to "motherhood and apple pie" responses as he grilled him on the financial giant's "duty to society".
Bishop grills boss on bank and its 'duty to society' Bishop: 'Greater simplicity is needed'
Advocating support for the private sector is like extolling the virtues of motherhood and apple pie. Why wouldn't you?
A true public-private partnership
Vision 2019 reads like a motherhood and apple pie wish list for the future.
Fooled him not
It attracted widespread public support, in a motherhood and apple pie sort of way, since no one dared to suggest that the logistics of actually delivering might prove costly and difficult.
THE BRIMINGHAM POST: Early pledges
"It's like undermining motherhood and apple pie," Rep.
"Like undermining motherhood and apple pie": why are California Dems in local government embracing eminent domain abuse?
[They] are as American as motherhood and apple pie. My faith believes in family, believes in Jesus Christ.
Mitt Romney's evangelical problem: everyone wants to believe the Massachusetts governor's Mormonism won't be a problem if he runs in 2008. Think again
The cabinet member for health dismissed one of three recommendations as "meaningless" and said the other two were vague and smacked of "motherhood and apple pie".
'Illiterate' report sparks outburst; COUNCIL PAPER ON GRANT CUT IS BRANDED 'MEANINGLESS'
"I know that some will say that I am proposing to tax motherhood and apple pie, but it is not parents and children who benefit from zero rating at the moment, but retailers."
EURO PLANS TO TAX CHILDREN'S CLOTHES
"It's like motherhood and apple pie. I can't imagine a leader in this day and age saying, 'Our promotions are based on something other than merit.'"
Dunn Deals
"It's a motherhood and apple pie project that will bring joy to everyone in the city.
Pier A gets go ahead
The final questions could best be characterized as being similar to "motherhood and apple pie." We did this intentionally in order to have questions with high expectation scores.
Provider satisfaction: an analysis based on expectation
If both motherhood and apple pie are a thing of the past since you became an empty-nester, loosen up now and then and take Marie Antoinette's advice.
Let them eat cake