by the book

Strictly according to the rules

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

by MBA June 26, 2004

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

by MBA July 23, 2004