"The Cider House Rules" is a novel by John Irving that was also adapted into a film. The "rules" referred to in the title are actually a set of guidelines for running an apple orchard and producing cider. Here are the rules as they appear in the novel:

1. Cider is usually made only from the juice of locally grown apples.

2. No cider will be sold or given to anyone who appears to have already had enough to drink.

3. No hard cider or alcoholic cider will be made, except for personal use.

4. No child shall be given more than one glass of sweet cider per meal.

5. Any child who appears to have had too much cider will be sent home immediately.

6. No one shall drink cider while operating the cider press.

7. No one shall tamper with the equipment of the cider house.

It's worth noting that the rules are somewhat tongue-in-cheek, as they are presented in the novel as a way for the cider house workers to poke fun at the strict rules and regulations of the orphanage where they live and work.