This locution comes from Latin and represents the origin, the beginning; it means “from the egg”, signifying from the conception. It is used as a synonym “from the start”, from the furthest point. This locution arrives from Roman times, which had a particular order for lunches: first, some eggs, served as appetizers, afterward fruits and all the rest; the full locution was “Ab ovo usque ad mala”, “from the egg to apples”. This sequence at the table has arrived until our days, where Italian traditions serve first appetizers, then first and second plates, and at the very end desserts and fruits.