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 has such friction that, given reverse English, it will change direction each time it bounces.
From Time Magazine Archive
They slithered along the walls, caromed in crazy zigzags, whupped out of the corners at speeds over 50 m.p.h., or died on the floor in tiny, whirling bounces of reverse English.
From Time Magazine Archive
As to Bears, they did the same things, "only with the reverse English."
From Time Magazine Archive
There is almost no getting around it, and Donn Byrnians will have to survive it as best they can�their favorite author has rewritten The Sheik with reverse English.
From Time Magazine Archive
Ah, say, reverse English on the tootsy business!" says I. "This ain't any heart-throb matinee.
From Torchy by Brehm, George
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.
