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You are here: Experts > Arts/Humanities > Writing > Etymology (Meaning of Words) > Etymology of a phrase
Expert: Carol Pozefsky - 10/29/2009
Question
Despite much searching I cannot find any explanation for the phrase "tip-top", as in tip-top condition, meaning it's in perfect condition or working order. Can you help please?
Thank you.
Answer
Hello, I hope you're having a fine week,
'Tip-top' is beieved to be military slang which worked its way into mainstream conversation
at about the time of the first World War. Today's military equivalent would be A.O.K.
'Tip-top' is a form of hyperbole used for dramatic emphasis. If you're tops at some endeavor you are the best; at the top of the food chain, the top of your class, top of the line, top of the morning. To say that a situation is tip-top is to be top of the top...in other words, the very best.
Tip-top Bread is a brand that has been around for more than 50 years and has lost little of its popularity perhaps in part due to its upbeat name.
The best to you always,
CP
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