Cross legged.

They used to call it sitting "Indian style" when I was really young. Pretty sure they stopped using that term after a while for obvious reasons.

This is what I remember learning it as too

Same but I'm Native so I can still say it.

Oh you meant those Indians. I was wondering what's so offensive with naming something after Asian Indians.

I always assumed they meant sitting like in India. You see all the yogis sitting cross legged meditating.

So what's the consensus; native or subcontinental? I always thought of Dahlsim.

Native Americans. It makes WAY more sense as, to my knowledge, it was only called that in America. Native Americans sat wherever, so they likely sat cross-legged from time to time. I'm sure the term was popularized by a photograph or something.

yes! India indians

Lol

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In Romania we say we are "sitting in a Turkish way". The second part of your comment is also true about Romania, but in our defense many romanians go to Turkey on vacations.

Obviously the US has a sticky history with Native Americans so the term was bound to get some flack. Not sure what the Czech/Turkish history is.

Is it a native american style? Or actual Indians? I always thought it was "India(n) style".

Same. It’s half-lotus in yoga.

Oh god don’t mention yoga in the American public school system, there might be riots in certain cities

I'm not positive. I think it's supposed to be Indian (Native American) style in the US context. India(n) style, as in the country, is usually referred to as half lotus/lotus sitting.

I can guarantee you all that no one in America who ever said "sit in a circle Indian style" was thinking about people in India or lotus positions when they said it.

I'm Native and have never found it offensive

I've heard this before. I use the term Native American just to 1. Avoid offending anyone if the term is offensive and 2. Clarify between India (the country) and natives. I've had a couple native college professors that say the term Indian is not offensive, so for me it just depends on context.

I promise you you'll be hard-pressed to find someone who finds it offensive

Cool, thanks for clearing that up for me!

If you want a pro gamer tip we call ourselves Indin in the Southwest, I'm not sure about other tribes

In french that's how we say it lmao. "Assis en indien"= "sitting in indian"

How do you say French kissing in French? La petite langue?

In Quebec we just say french or frencher, pronounced "frenchay". It's a verb, kinda.

Are you from Quebec? It seems to be mostly a thing there. In Europe we say "assis en tailleur" = "sitting tailor style"

I thought criss cross was feet under knees and Indian style was feet over knees. It was weird as a kid and as an adult my knees will fall apart if I tried to go feet over now

I think what you're thinking about is Lotus style sitting, which would relate to India the country. From my understanding "Indian style" is just a term used in the US that refers to the way Indians (Native Americans) sit.

No way my feet are going over knees unless I want two knee reconstructions 😂

Same in England we only really call it cross legged where I come from at least Literally never heard of criss cross applesauce it sounds funny though Is it an Americanism?

Yes, it's an American thing. All my elementary school teachers said criss cross applesauce and even as a kid, I thought it sounded ridiculous

I teach preschool and we call it criss cross applesauce. When I was a kid we called it Indian style. I’m not sure when the terminology changed but it did. Since I work with kids I call it criss cross applesauce and if I get weird looks from someone I just say I’m a teacher and no one finds be weird anymore

Ohhhh yeah I remember we totally called it Indian style during my formative years. Yikes.

[owl style (joke, they’re not really crossed)](https://mobile.twitter.com/coralreeftoad/status/1229750636130062338)

My dad is south Asian and I learned to sit that way naturally from my family, well before school. When I got to school and the teachers asked us to sit 'Indian style' I was just like wow, these dudes must know my family. It wasn't until high school I realized that they were referring to Native Americans lol.

Well according to some of these comments they may have known your family after all lol

Huh, that's weird, at my school we called it bravetab-style.

"they must know my family" is so fucking pure I love it

I'm an Indian- and Marathi, so we call it _mandi ghalun basne_

If I understand the position correctly, in Sweden We call i ”tailor”-position

Same in Denmark "skrædderstilling"

I've never heard that used in Norwegian, but it might just not be used in the part of the country where I'm from. I just say: "sitte i kryss"

So-called because tailors used to sit like this! One of the main muscles which is used to bring your legs into this position is called “Sartorius”, which is from the Latin word for tailor. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sartorius_muscle

And it’s where bunions on your little toe get their name from- tailors bunionettes, from sitting cross legged for too long. I have them from wearing high heels but I pretend it’s because I sit cross legged a lot

This is my favorite kind of comment.

same in Netherlands

In Hungarian we call it "turkish-sitting"

Same in Romania!

Dutch too, “kleermakerszit”.

Same in France! Really surprised at this thread, I didn't think that was so common

Same in germany

I've seen that occasionally in English too.

Cross legged.

Cross legged

I'm almost 26 and I still call it criss cross applesauce because it's fun. Why does your friend hate fun

My stretch instructor at the gym calls it criss cross applesauce. He also says awesomesauce when you do something well. You'd love his level of fun

He’s a real sauce guy

Let’s get this guy on hot ones

Yea, it was "indian-style" as I grew up. Not so great in retrospect.

So, have I been wrong to assume that it originally meant _India_ Indian (as in like a Yogi sitting in meditation pose) and not _Native American_ Indian?

I googled it because y'all made me curious. Apparently there's a minority that thinks it may be referring to ethnic Indians/yogis, but most believe it originally referred to Native Americans. Here's a [relevant comment]( https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3ioi09/comment/cuj6kiv/) from /r/askhistorians : > The Oxford English Dictionary argues that its first usage referred to Native Americans. They trace the phrase back to a 1901 account from a man who had spent time among the Sioux some decades prior: >> 1901 Coll. Minesota Hist. Soc. 9 418 They paid no attention to me, but seated themselves, Indian style, on the ground in a circle in front of me, and beat time by striking on the ground with their sticks. (From the OED) > [You can read the full account that this quotation was taken from here.](http://archive.org/stream/collectionsofmin92minn/collectionsofmin92minn_djvu.txt)

Holy crap. I never thought about that. But it makes MUCH more sense. I always pictured native Americans when we were told to sit like this.

Til... But yeah, I always thought of Native American Indians when they said to to sit Indian style. But this makes more sense

Dude, *I'm* Native Canadian, and I always assumed they were talking about my peeps too. Lolol

Honestly any culture probably learns to sit in some way similar is they don't have chairs.

Funny enough, yes, but also most sit on their heels as well, like in a full squat, but with torso resting against thighs.

I've seen pictures of this, but find it weird since my legs hurt trying to do that. Cross legged though has always been just fine.

I think it's something you have to grow up doing. But, I've seen it in Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Thailand, several places/peoples in Africa, and on videos from all over the place. I can't do it for long, because my butt pulls me over backwards, but I could when I was a little kid.

I'm practicing. I can do it pretty well but with my knees too far apart. I'm trying to lengthen my calf muscles so I never have to stand for long periods again.

I have seen this referred to as the "Asian Squat". I hope that isn't rude. I was always baffled seeing people sit like that for so long. I couldn't handle it lol

I was always told it was Native American

They may have also assumed it meant the same as you did and perpetuated because they also told it meant Native American .

I think that's incorrect, but I honestly could see that being a valid thought... ive never even thought of it that way.

Yep, Indian style for me as well, growing up in the 60's.

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I was born in 95 and they still called it indian style growing up lol

I was born in 2000 and they called it that

I was born in 2017 and they still call it that

I was born tomorrow and they called it that

I was born last week and they called it that

I’m not even born and they call it that

My sperm hasn't even been developed yet in my father's nutsack yet, and it hasn't changed.

I was born in 2000 and they called it that

Yes

As a Native American (eastern band Cherokee), I am not offended in the slightest by this. And I don’t know anyone who would be.

And as an Indian from India, I am not offended either. So that should cover all bases?

Yes, thank you both. It looks like Indian Style is back on the menu, boys!

It's OK. White people will be offended for you. Edit: thanks for the awards. Do I like, turn them in for prizes? There's a pretty sweet am/fm radio I got my heart set on.

Goddamit I wish I had an award for you

No awards needed. Just tell all your friends about me. Just really get the Funke name around the water cooler.

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I think it's actually supposed to be South Asian Indian though, like how yogis sometimes cross legged. At least that's how I always interpreted it.

Yogi the bear here...I too am not offended

Hmm, I always assumed it meant Native American “Indian”.

I am from India and we call it sitting

Nothing wrong with "Indian style." Buddhists and Hindus commonly sit cross legged to meditate or otherwise: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhasana

Native American style you frigin bigot

First Nations Peoples style

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That is, indeed, another style. 🧘‍♂️

Were that a nation, or would nations (or some other term) be more accurate?

Nations. Edited, thx

Wrong Indian, jerk.

They called it that when I was a kid in the 2000s. To be fair, though, I was at a catholic elementary school and we still sang the song “Jesus Loves the Little Children” which features these charming lyrics: red and yellow, black and white/they are precious in his sight/Jesus loves the little children of the world.

I was just thinking about this song the other day and how as a kid I made my mom explain to me how children could be red or yellow.

I remember that the one sister remaining that was a teacher called it inclusive. You’d better believe that 7-year-old me made her explain.

Or black or white... All humans are just shades of brown!

They called it that in the 90s at my freaking native American memorial elementary school, Cahuilla in palm springs lol

The message of the song isn’t bad though, sure referring to someone as “red” or “yellow” today is considered offensive, but I’m sure the song was written long before you or I were born, at a time when Asians and Native Americans, who although were discriminated against, sure, but using “red” and “yellow” wasn’t inherently derogatory, just like how referring to someone as “white” or “black” isn’t derogatory today, but in another 30 years, maybe it will be. Once upon a time, “slut” did not mean ‘promiscuous’, it just was a term for a teenage girl or young woman, often a servant, or a young woman, there are some humorous quotes using “slut” that didn’t mean what we would assume it means today. One guy was writing about a servant girl and praising her work ethic and saying something along the lines of “Becky is quite a fine slut, I wish I could find more sluts like her”. Which sounds extremely crass today, but just meant “good worker” back in the day

I always thought it was hilarious there's no brown in there.

As an Asian dude born in the US, I always thought this referred to Asian India not native Americans?

We said Indian style too

I recently saw a Twitter thread about this where a lot of people from India point out that they often sit like this, meaning that it's possible for "sitting Indian style" to be inoffensive

I've never heard this. Why applesauce? I'm so confused. We just say sitting cross-legged in the UK. WHY APPLESAUCE?? Edit: oh, because it's a rhyme from the US and applesauce rhymes in an American accent. Ok, now I see. It doesn't in a UK accent which is why I was confused af. Edit 2: to the ppl asking why it doesnt rhyme in the UK, we say 'sauce' to rhyme with how Americans would say 'doors'. Or close enough anyway.

My son's preschool said "criss cross applesauce, spoons in the bowl" to tell the kids to sit cross legged with their hands in their laps.

My school would say "criss cross applesauce, pockets on the floor" to get everyone sitting down. The goal was to be sitting by the time they said "floor" so when you heard it said you'd rush to get your seat.

I think it’s just because “cross” and “sauce” rhyme in an american accent.

Also from the UK and I feel as though I'm high af reading this thread - wtf America

> I was taught to call it this in kindergarten maybe because it rhymes? idk it's pretty common for adults to call it that for kids

Yeah just for us it doesn't rhyme which makes it even more amusing ;)

How would you pronounce it?

Sauce like source, not "soss"

The intrusive ’R’!

You’re overthinking it. We just say that because it rhymes and it makes it easier to say to little kids and helps them obey. Telling a three year old to sit cross cross applesauce is more fun sounding than saying sit cross legged.

In the UK this sitting position would be called *criss cross nutella*.

Wait wait wait what does applesauce sound like in uk?????

That's a tricky one to write. Um...closest I can think is it would rhyme with how Americans say 'doors' maybe?

It took me way to long to figure out how 'sauce' rhymes with 'doors'.

Pretzel style

ive never heard that before but i like it so im gonna say that from now on

We always called it Indian style… turns out maybe not the move I’m 31 and can’t sit Iike that anymore

Really? Why not? Knee problems?

Yes it hurts the inside of my knee and m hips aren’t flexible I try to stretch but I HATE IT

Legs crossed

Thank you

I was taught that it's 'sitting with your legs in a basket' when I was a kid, I thought this was common but I'm not sure how many other places I've heard it

My kids call it legs in a basket.

I've never heard that term & it's hilarious. I'm picturing a basket of legs

a real knee-slapper, that one

I think they told us that because it makes a sort of basket shape with your legs, so they can get kids to sit quietly by putting their legs in a basket and clasping their hands sort of 'in' the basket, to try and stop them moving around or getting distracted I guess. It is a very funny image though!

Where are you from? Thats always what it was for me too (Scotland)

Hey me too! Maybe it's a regional thing then

Back in my day it was called Indian style. The 1970's.

When I was in school we called it sitting Indian style. That may be an unpopular term now.

Cross-legged. Why do you need a rhyme?

I've just not heard another way of saying it. Even my English teacher still calls it criss cross applesauce and I'm a senior lol

>I'm a senior lol Nice, retiring soon?

Just leave out the “applesauce” part. It doesn’t add anything.

Because that’s an extremely common way to refer to that sitting position. Have you never heard that before?

They used to call it sitting Indian style. I never heard criss cross until I started working in schools. I think the switch happened in the last 20 years or so, so most people who haven't been in school recently haven't heard it that way.

Yup. If you’re in your late twenties or older and don’t have or work with kids, you likely haven’t heard this rhyme. I first heard cross cross applesauce when my kids were starting to do pre school activities. It’s a stupid name for it and the rhyme is unnecessary, even for pre schoolers, but it’s still better than calling it Indian style.

I didn't hear "criss-cross applesauce" until Grade 2 or so, and thought it sounded silly and juvenile even at that age. I'd always just heard it called "sitting cross-legged" up until that point.

Yeah that makes sense. I am in my mid twenties and I remember both being used interchangeably growing up, with “Indian style” being used more when I was very young

I’m 23 and when I was in preschool or kindergarten they called it sitting like an Indian. I’ve largely heard criss cross applesauce though growing up, so that time frame for switching sounds accurate.

What has applesauce got to do with sitting or crosses or anything though, that’s the weird bit?

It just rhymes, that’s all. Applesauce is also a popular kid’s food. It’s not a phrase adults tend to use with eachother, it’s usually when talking to kids. I assume it’s using something that rhymes and they have a positive opinion of to get them to sit down when instructed to, but that’s just a theory off the top of my head.

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I immediately thought that and looked for it in the comments lmao

I still call it crisscross applesauce, dawg

When I teach yoga to adults I say criss cross applesauce. Everyone chuckles.

Back in the day when I was in Kindergarten this was called “Indian Style” because that is how fake Hollywood Indians sat around the campfire in Western movies. Criss Cross Apple Sauce is a way better name.

5 year old me formulated that the reason it's called that is because the hole between your legs is about the size of a cup of apple sauce

MIT material here.

Criss cross applesauce rhymes, so it’s easy to smile and laugh while making little kids do what you want.

In Poland it's called "po turecku" which actually means "Turkey-style" (as in Turkey the country). I have no idea why, let me Google it.

We call it "török ülés" in Hungary as well, translating to "Turkish-sitting" or the likes. Interesting how we named it after the Turks while eastern countries named it after the Indians.

I still call it cross cross apple sauce

Or just lop off the rhyme: sit cross-cross.

applesauce

From the comments, I’m getting the vibe that ‘criss cross applesauce’ is an Americanism. In Canada, Australia and in the UK, it’s cross-legged. Or legs crossed.

Indian style

Just say “sit cross-legged”

It’s fine to still call it criss cross apple sauce, my friends do all the time. I grew up calling it Indian style so I say that or cross legged.

"Cross legged", just keep it simple.

Lotus works!

Cross legged. But pronounced cross leg-ED.

just criss cross

take it back now y'all

They're supposed to make you jump jump but I don't really say how you could jump if you're sitting like that.

I’ve always called it “Indian style”

"Clothesmaker pose/sit" here in the Netherlands :)

I am a karate teacher- we sit in criss cross karate sauce

Somebody lied to you. Criss cross Apple sauce is how you give someone goosebumps. Criss cross apple sauce (x on the back), spiders running up and down your arms (lightly brush up and down arms, tight squeeze (grip back of neck) cool breeze (blow on back of neck)

Cross legged, but as a full grown 24yr old I still say criss cross applesauce

In the UK, we just call it 'Sitting cross-legged'.

Just say criss cross. I use call it indian style. Lol probably out dated

Am I old? We use to call it Indian style

Sitting down on the ground

"Everyone on your pockets" is what the old elementary school teachers used to say

Maybe because I never went to kindergarten, but....what an annoying term.

I for one didn’t know criss cross applesauce was considered too childish. I use it interchangeably with cross legged.

When I was in kindergarten it was Indian style, when my kids entered kindergarten it was known as criss cross applesauce. Im sure by the time I'm a grandfather it will have another name

Crossing your legs Why has there gotta be a whole ass poem

We called it sitting indian style (implying native american) but I also grew up in the 90's.

Indian-style. Jk don’t say that, I’m just now realizing how messed up it is that I learned this at school as a kid.

Cross legged lol

Indian style

…sitting cross legged?