Trivet

Posted by Bruce Kahl on February 29, 2000

In Reply to: Trivet posted by Maggie Hamberger on February 29, 2000

: will someone enlighten me to the meaning of the phrase "you're as right as a trivet"?

It means perfection.
The trivet is a metallic plate-stand with three legs designed to hold a plate of hot toast. I am unsure as to WHY it means what it does but see the last entry in the following:

Roget's Thesaurus: Entry 650 (Perfection)

Adj. perfect, faultless; indefective[obs], indeficient[obs], indefectible; immaculate, spotless, impeccable; free from imperfection &c. 651; unblemished, uninjured &c. 659; sound, sound as a roach; in perfect condition; scathless[obs], intact, harmless; seaworthy &c. (safe) 644; right as a trivet