reverse English
Americannoun
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Also called reverse side. Billiards. a spinning motion imparted to a cue ball in such a manner as to prevent it from moving in a certain direction.
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words that, because of their misuse or careless syntax, convey an opposite meaning from the one intended or leave their exact meaning in doubt.
“Don't miss it if you can” is reverse English.
Etymology
Origin of reverse English
An Americanism dating back to 1905–10
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.
It was a nice bit of reverse English in what Romney must consider a game of dirty pool.
From Time Magazine Archive
Orwell wrote in the reverse English of the ironist: when he is most grim he reads most gay, and such laughter is a Jason's shield against the Medusa he is facing.
From Time Magazine Archive
Then, with typical reverse English he announces that he will be back in the country next summer, covering the Democratic Convention for Rolling Stone.
From Time Magazine Archive
It has such friction that, given reverse English, it will change direction each time it bounces.
From Time Magazine Archive
Ah, say, reverse English on the tootsy business!" says I. "This ain't any heart-throb matinee.
From Torchy by George Brehm
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
