# criss-cross applesauce

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/criss-cross-applesauce
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

(of sitting): Cross-legged.

## Examples

- Sit criss-cross applesauce on the floor for story time.
- You should sit criss-cross applesauce while we play this board game.
- The teacher asked the children to sit criss-cross applesauce so everyone could see the book.
- During the morning yoga session, the instructor told us to sit criss-cross applesauce and focus on our breathing before starting the first stretch.
- The students settled onto the rug, sitting criss-cross applesauce as they listened to the guest speaker.

## Origin

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. (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.