What does the "apple on the teacher's desk" mean?

Question

i have seen those old movies were there is an apple on the teachers desk.
what does it symbolise?
does it have anything to do with education?
what is its origin?

Answer 1

Children used to bring in a lunch to school prior to the days of cafeterias and vending machines. It was considered a way to get on the teacher's good side to bring her an apple. The expression polishing the apple or being an apple polisher etc. grew from this practice. The good teacher never refused an apple and probably had a desk drawer full of them.

Answer 2

It signifies appreciation for the teacher and was used "back in the day" because that was something valuable and available for students to give to their teacher. Although "Brown nosing" may be associated with it, at our school we teach the students to interact and communicate with their teachers to help establish a working relationship and increase the chances for success. If you need to bring an apple to school to get to know the teacher, DO IT! Just make sure it DOESN'T have a worm .

Answer 3

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RE:
What does the "apple on the teacher's desk" mean?
i have seen those old movies were there is an apple on the teachers desk.
what does it symbolise?
does it have anything to do with education?
what is its origin?

Answer 4

it's origin was kids bringing a highly polished into the
teacher to make a favorable impression. "apple polisher"
meant basically the same thing as kissass, kiss up, teachers
pet and whatever todays venecular may dictate

Answer 5

THe apple was the traditional gift a pupil would bring the teacher, particularly a pupil who is a bit of an overachieving brown nose. Its sort of a bribe.

Answer 6

Back in the days when teachers were lowly paid ,students would supplement their teachers meagre diet with fruit from home ...hang on maybe we should be bringing back this tradition
A way to buy favour

Answer 7

This is puzzling to me too

Answer 8

It depends..