Spitting Image / Spick & Span

Posted by Jason Jacques on August 08, 2005

Spitting Image / Spick & Span. I have just reviewed the entry for "Spitting Image", and while I had understood the derivation to have been "spit and image", my understanding was that that had come from military usage, as in "spit and polish" and making boots so shiny that one's reflection could be seen in them. Apologies for having no evidence whatsoever to back this claim!
Also - does anyone have a derivation for "spick and span"?

• Spitting Image / Spick & Span Bruce Kahl 09/August/05