arsy-versy

/ ˈɑːsɪˈvɜːsɪ /

adverb

backwards or upside down
in reverse

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of arsy-versy¹

C16: from _arse + Latin versus turned, modelled on compounds like hurly-burly

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In each case an old tennis hand was the obstacle that sent the youngsters arsy-versy: Gardnar Mulloy, 37, and Billy Talbert, 32.

Read more on Time Magazine Archive

Suddenly three frolicsome girls with their aunt come to live with him, turn everything arsy-versy.

Read more on Time Magazine Archive

To keep the ice clear of objects that might send her arsy-versy when she is traveling at 35 m.p.h., her troupe is forbidden to wear hairpins, the electrical superstructure over the rink is scrupulously vacuumed.

Read more on Time Magazine Archive

Author Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald's title implies that the world his latest stories tell about is cockeyed, arsy-versy.

Read more on Time Magazine Archive

arsy-varsy art

Browse