arsy-varsy

[ ahr-see-vahr-see ]

/ ˈɑr siˈvɑr si /

Informal.

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adjective

wrong end foremost; completely backward: an arsy-varsy way of doing things.

adverb

in a backward or thoroughly mixed-up fashion: The papers are all filed arsy-varsy.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Also ar·sy·ver·sy

[ahr-see-vur-see]. /ˈɑr siˈvɜr si/.

Origin of arsy-varsy

1530–40; probably alteration of Latin vice versa (see vice versa), with arse substituted to make a facetious rhyming compound; for Latin versa>varsy,cf. argal²

Words nearby arsy-varsy

arson, arsonist, arsphenamine, ars poetica, arsy, arsy-varsy, arsy-versy, art, artal, Artaud, Artaxerxes I