Browse phrases beginning with: [A][B][C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J][K][L][M][N][O][P][Q][R][S][T][U,V][W][X,Y,Z] Fair and squareMeaning Honest and straightforward, especially of business dealings. Origin In the 16th century 'square' meant 'fair and honest' so 'fair and square' is tautological. George Puttenham used that meaning of square in The arte of English poesie, 1589:
Francis Bacon's essay Of Prophecies, 1604 is the first known use of 'fair and square':
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