# Why an apple for the teacher? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 6, 2003, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-an-apple-for-the-teacher/193301 "2003-08-06T09:57:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SammySidetrack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@SammySidetrack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SammySidetrack)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-an-apple-for-the-teacher/193301/1 "2003-08-06T09:57:10Z")
I just bought an apple-shaped “Teacher” trinket for my cousin in Europe, and I got to wonder where this practice of giving an apple to the teacher came from. It’s a clear association to me in the US, but I’m told she wouldn’t get it, so how can I explain it? All I can think of is “A is for apple”–is that really all there is? ---
**Author:** ![Shrinking\_Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@Shrinking\_Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shrinking_Violet)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-an-apple-for-the-teacher/193301/2 "2003-08-06T11:13:03Z")
It’s also a clear association in the UK … I’d like to know its origin, too. Wait a minute - isn’t the apple Eve gave to Adam supposed to signify “knowledge”? Julie ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-an-apple-for-the-teacher/193301/3 "2003-08-06T13:13:58Z")
Teachers in rural districts used to receive part of their wages in food, especially vegetables. Finish the connection yourselves.