arsy-varsy

[ ahr-see-vahr-see ]
/ ˈɑr siˈvɑr si /
Informal.

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.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
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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. argal3

Words nearby arsy-varsy

arsm, arson, arsonist, arsphenamine, arsy, arsy-varsy, arsy-versy, art, art deco, art director, art film
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020