Done honestly, justly, and according to the rules. Achieved through legitimate means without cheating, deception, or unfair advantage.
Dating to the 1600s, this phrase combines 'fair' (just, honest) with 'square' (honest, straightforward), which comes from the idea of a square deal in carpentry - everything properly aligned and measured. The repetition emphasizes complete honesty.
The phrase doubles down on honesty by using two words that mean essentially the same thing, creating an emphatic declaration of integrity. The 'square' part connects to geometric precision, suggesting that honesty has the same reliability as mathematical truth.
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