Definitions by MBA

sappy 

an offensive term meaning regarded as thoughtless or unintelligent

Everyone has already said so, so let me add my
congratulations to NBC: You guys made this the most
dumbed-down, unremittingly sappy, embarrassingly treacly,
watch-this-mug cry-for-the-anthem Olympic coverage in
television history.
--Paul Vitello, "Let the Sap Flow in Sydney," 3Newsday,
August 6, 1996

sappy by MBA July 23, 2004

by the book 

Strictly according to the rules

Romeo and Juliet (1:5): "You kiss by the book."

by the book by MBA June 26, 2004