topsy-turvyadv.adj.n.v.

Brit.

/ˌtɒpsɪˈtəːvi/, U.S.

/ˈˌtɑpsiˈtərvi/

Forms: α. 1500s topsy tervy, tyrvy, turuie, turvy; 1500s– topsy-turvy, (1700s–1800s topsy-turvey). Also 1500s topsituruie, topsituruy, 1600s -turvy, -turvie, topsi-turvi, top-si-turvy; 1500s topsie turuie, topsie turvie, topsie turvey, 1500s–1600s -turuy, 1600s -turvie, -turvy; 1600s topse-turvie. (Now almost always hyphenated; in early use more usually two words; sometimes (in every century) as one word.) β–ι: see below.

Etymology: A kind of alliterative or assonant combination, known in print from 1528, but probably in popular use from an earlier period. The early spelling was topsy-tervy or -tirvy , from c1540 written -turvy , -turvie . (Compare the pronunciation of nerve , curve .) As to the actual components no external evidence has been found, and numerous conjectures and suggestions have been offered. Some of the more plausible of these, taking topsy as representing top-set or top-side , have been introduced (by those who favoured them) into the spelling; but amid all these aberrations, the typical form, with mere spelling variants, as topsy , topsie , topsi- , and tervy , tirvy , turvy , turvie , has remained practically constant. It seems certain that the first element contains top (or tops ) and probable that the second is related to terve or tirve v.² to turn, turn over, overturn; but the -sy of the first and -y of the second still want explanation: the former is viewed by some as representing an earlier so, as in up-so-down, now upside-down, so becoming sy under the influence of turvy, the y of which is apparently as in hitty-missy, hurly-burly, arsy-versy. A suggestion that turvy was connected with turf or turve, and referred to the laying of cut turfs or turves face downward, to keep them fresh, is now discarded, as is the earlier notion that turvy might have been altered < t'other way. (There is a certain parallelism between the series up-so-down, later upset-down, upside-down, and *top-so-tervy, topsy-tervy, topset-tervy, topside-tervy; but the former has not become upsy-down, nor has any trace of *top-so-tervy been yet found, so that the analogy is incomplete.)

A. adv.

a. With the top where the bottom should be; in or into an inverted position; upside down, bottom upwards; also less definitely, In or into the position of being toppled over, overturned, overthrown, or upset; right over. (Most commonly qualifying the verb turn, or used predicatively after be, lie, etc.)

ΘΠ

the world > space > relative position > inversion > [adverb]

upa1300

nevelinga1387

kew-kaw1399

overc1425

topsy-turvy1530

arsy-versy1545

upside down1569

overhand1579

bottom-up1598

downside up1603

top to bottom1624

inversely1657

invertedly1657

belly-up1749

topsy versy1767

topsy-turvily1886

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 843/1 Topsy tyrvy, ceu dessus dessoubz.

1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde i. ix. f. 46^v They say that..they see the houses turne topsy turuye, and men to walke with theyr heeles vpwarde.

1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey iii. 205 The huge wals and arches turned topsie turuey, and lying like rockes vpon the foundation.

1747 M. Delany Autobiogr. & Corr. (1861) II. 450 As soon as I got into my chair, the chairmen fairly overturned it:..Lord Westmoreland..found me topsy turvy.

1846 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) vi. 46 A chaos of carts, overthrown and jumbled together, lay topsy-turvy at the bottom of a..hill.

1846 A. Smith Christopher Tadpole (1848) ix. 92 Wondering how the flies could walk topsy-turvy on the ceiling.

1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems xvii. 9 Catullus adjures thee Head~long into the mire below topsy-turvy to drown him.

1907 F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (ed. 2 reissued) I. 297 He writes topsy-turvy in sympathetic ink, between the lines of a letter ostensibly full of public news.

b. figurative. With the higher where the lower should be; in or into a reversed condition; with inversion of the natural or proper order; less definitely, With things all in wrong places or positions; in or into utter confusion, dislocation, or disorder.

ΘΠ

the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [adverb] > in or into utter disorder

topsy-turvy1528

upsie-turvya1592

cricket-a-wicket1598

chaotically1745

topsy-turvily1886

the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > [adverb] > in reversed order

reversea1393

topsy-turvy1528

preposterously1533

hysteron proteron1602

inverselya1628

inversedly1645

reversedly1649

reversely1659

reverse ways1762

ass-backward1939

1528 Rede me & be nott Wrothe sig. c v^v He tourneth all thynge topsy tervy.

?c1550 tr. P. Vergil Eng. Hist. (1846) I. 283 The deathe of Canutus didd noe lesse turne all thinges topsie-turvie in Denmarcke.

1579 W. Fulke Heskins Parl. Repealed in D. Heskins Ouerthrowne 215 This comparison is topsituruie.

a1640 F. Beaumont et al. Loves Cure ii. ii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Rrrrr2/2 Custome hath turn'd nature topsie-turvy in you.

1670 G. Havers tr. G. Leti Il Cardinalismo di Santa Chiesa ii. i. 128 Turning all Europe as it were top-si-turvy.

1780 A. Young Tour Ireland (ed. 2) II. xviii. 268 It is the intention and effect of this bounty to turn every local advantage, and natural supply topsy turvy.

1833 H. Martineau French Wines & Politics viii. 125 How strangely the values of things are turned topsy-turvy!

1866 R. M. Ballantyne Shifting Winds xxvii. 304 A world of inconsistencies, where things are all topsy-turvy, so to speak.

c. Also in various altered or corrupt forms, mostly indicating popular or conjectural etymologies: see above.

β. 1500s topset tourvie, toruie, turvie, -tirvi.

1549 T. Chaloner tr. Erasmus Praise of Folie sig. Aiij Bothe holy and vnholy thyngs be tourned topset touruie.

1556 N. Grimald tr. Cicero Thre Bks. Duties i. f. 11 Who turned topset toruie all the lawes of God.

1573 G. Harvey Let.-bk. (1884) 53 Thus within a few years al shuld be turnid topset tirvi.

γ. 1500s top syd turuye, ( topside turfway), 1500s–1700s topside turvy, 1500s–1800s -vey.1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 35 Top syd turuye be turned Al thee Princelye thrasholds.1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene v. viii. sig. T3 At last they haue all ouerthrowne to ground Quite topside turuey . 1686 J. Goad Astro-meteorologica iii. iv. 499 Dreadful Tempest, turned several Villages..Topside-turvy.c1695 Countess of Pembroke Psalme lviii. 34 in Coll. Wks. (1998) II. 262 [MS B only] With whirlwinds topside turfway blown.1713 J. Addison in Guardian 7 Sept. 1/2 I found Nature turned top-side turvy, Women changed into Men, and Men into Women.1761 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy IV. xix. 134 How was my system turned topside turvy..!1815 M. Pilkington Celebrity III. i. 25 The world must be turned topside-turvey.δ. 1500s topside thother-way, 1600s topside t'other way, 1700s topside the other way.1577 R. Stanyhurst Treat. Descr. Irelande iii. f. 14^v/1, in R. Holinshed Chron. I The estate of that flourishing towne was tourned arsye versye, topside thother-way.1655 H. L'Estrange Reign King Charles 75 Thus were all things strangely turned in a trice topside t'other way.1768 A. Tucker Light of Nature (1834) I. 456 His [Socrates'] words are to be turned topside the other way to understand them.ε. 1500s typsiturvy, typsy tyrvye, 1700s tipsy-turvy.1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 324 b The generall fraylty of nature will violently carry you away typsiturvy.1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 569 Typsy tyrvye.1766 C. Anstey New Bath Guide ii. ii. 14 Their Systems..all turn'd topsy-turvy.ζ. 1600s tupsiturvie.1640 J. Howell Δενδρολογια 50 They would have turned up tupsiturvie the very kingdome of Satan.η. 1500s top turuye.1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis i. 14 His launce staffe thee dust top turuye doth harrow.θ. 1600s topsiturnie, topsie turnie.1617 J. Minsheu Ἡγεμὼν είς τὰς γλῶσσας: Ductor in Linguas Topsiturnie, the topside turned..Arsiuersie.1655 in Clarendon Papers No. 1753 [They] would assuredly turne all that hath been ajusted topsie turnie.ι. Scottish (? associated with topsail: see [see topsail n. and adv. Phrases 2]. ) 1600s topsoltiria, tops o're tiria, 1700s–1800s tapsalteerie, 1800s tapsal-, tapsil-, tapsul-teerie, -teery, tapseeteerie, topsieteerie.1623 W. Lithgow Trav. 202 Let all the misticall drifts and ambiguous designes..turne topsoltiria, or upside downe, I care not.1684 in Maidment Bk. Scott. Pasquils (1868) 326 There was a duke so full of pryde There durst no man come neeria Till cam a monkey out of Fife And dang him tops o're tiria.1787 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) I. 59 An' warly cares, an' warly men, May a' gae tapsalteerie, O!1801 H. Macneill Poet. Wks. II. 55 And dealing round strong punch and joke, Good-humour'd mad near twa o'clock Turns a' things tapsilteery!1805 A. Scott Poems (1808) 100 For tapsee-teerie lie the sheaves.1827 J. Wilson Noctes Ambrosianae xxxiv, in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. July 110 Wi' ae desperate wallop we baith gaed tapsalteerie.

B. adj.

Turned upside down; inverted, reversed; figurative utterly confused or disorderly.

ΘΠ

the world > space > relative position > inversion > [adjective]

enversed?1440

inverse?1440

turned1513

overturned1561

inversed1592

inverted1598

topsy-turvy1618

downside up1683

headlong1713

upturned1816

Antipodean1853

upside down1866

the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [adjective] > in utter disorder

topsy-turvy1618

chaotic1688

chaotical1826

tipsy-topsy1826

upside down1866

topsy-turvical1882

1618 W. Barlow Breife Discov. Idle Animadversions 8 With those topsituruy motions.

1710 J. Swift Medit. Broom-stick 7 What is Man, but a Topsy-turvy Creature..His Head where his Heels should be.

1747 S. Richardson Clarissa II. xxxii. 219 Dear! What a topsy-turvy house is This?

1856 F. E. Paget Owlet of Owlstone Edge 1 This queer topsy-turvy world.

1873 M. E. Braddon Lucius Davoren i. i It was the topsy-turviest kind of thing I ever heard in my life.

1887 Spectator 6 Aug. 1050/2 A very topsy-turvy way of reasoning.

1904 Westm. Gaz. 3 June 8/1 Inventor and engineer of the topsy-turvy railway.

C. n.

The act of turning or fact of being turned upside down; inversion of the proper order; state of utter confusion or disorder.

ΘΠ

the world > space > relative position > inversion > [noun]

turning1536

inversion1598

reversing1610

topsy-turvy1655

resupination1661

canting1769

retroversion1790

supernaculum1827

upturning1846

upending1968

the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [noun] > inversion of natural order or total disorder

topsy-turvy1655

topsy-turvyhood1791

topsy-turviness1842

upside-downism1861

topsy-turvydom1870

topsy-turvyism1880

topsy-turviment1884

1655 tr. C. Sorel Comical Hist. Francion iv. 10 They played topsy turvy excellently well, for there was not a book in all the Study which..they had not thrown on the ground.

1683 E. Hooker in J. Pordage Theologia Mystica Pref. Epist. 24 The whol frame of the world seemeth to me..to circumgyrate, to wheel, whirl, and turn round about in a Topsi-Turvi.

1692 tr. Sallust Wks. 3 Nor should we see such Topsy-Turvies in the World.

1823 T. Moore Fables Holy Alliance iv. 2 Of all that, to the sage's survey, This world presents of topsy-turvey.

1879 ‘G. Eliot’ Theophrastus Such x. 181 Finds matter for screaming laughter in mere topsy-turvy.

D. v. transitive.

To turn topsy-turvy or upside down; to invert; figurative to reverse; to throw into utter confusion, upset or disorder greatly.

ΘΠ

the world > space > relative position > inversion > invert [verb (transitive)]

to-wendc893

whelvec1000

to turn down?c1335

to turn up?c1335

whelmc1340

overturna1382

to turn overa1400

wholve14..

inverse?a1425

reverse?a1425

overwhelvec1450

overvolvea1522

transverse1557

evert1566

topsy-turn1573

topsy-turve1603

invert1610

upturn1610

whave1611

topsy-turvy1626

whemmel1684

cant1850

upend1868

flip-flop1924

the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [verb (transitive)] > throw into utter disorder or upset

to-turna1382

everse?a1425

over-terve?a1425

bestourn1484

renverse1521

transverse1557

evert1566

walter1571

topsy-turn1573

topsy-turve1603

topsy-turvy1626

bouleverse1673

whemmel1721

reverse1768

upset1818

to knock galley-west1875

topsy-turvify1886

topsy-turvyize1893

1626 T. Hawkins tr. N. Caussin Holy Court I. 163 They had..one sole action in this life, which is to topsy-turuy all things, and to do nothing.

1863 G. A. Sala Strange Adventures Capt. Dangerous II. iv. 148 He..Topsy-turvies his goblet.

Derivatives

topsy-ˈturvical adj. of a topsy-turvy character.Apparently an isolated use.

ΘΠ

the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [adjective] > in utter disorder

topsy-turvy1618

chaotic1688

chaotical1826

tipsy-topsy1826

upside down1866

topsy-turvical1882

1882 Pall Mall Gaz. 10 Oct. 6 Its topsy-turvical fun is characteristic of the author.

ˌtopsy-ˈturvied adj.

1740 S. Richardson Pamela II. 40 My poor Mind is all topsy-turvy'd.

topsy-turvifiˈcation n. a making or turning topsy-turvy, reversal of the natural order.

ΘΠ

the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > [noun] > reversal of natural or proper order

somersault1530

inversion1546

hysteron proteron1584

preposterousness1607

renversement1610

reversala1626

inverse1630

reversement1720

topsy-turvying1807

topsy-turvification1840

upending1968

1840 W. M. Thackeray Paris Sketch Bk. II. 111 A regular topsyturvyfication of morality.

1879 G. Saintsbury in Fortn. Rev. No. 151. 55 One of the oddest topsyturvifications of a noble sentiment to be anywhere found.

topsy-ˈturvify v. (transitive) to make or turn topsy-turvy.

ΘΠ

the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [verb (transitive)] > throw into utter disorder or upset

to-turna1382

everse?a1425

over-terve?a1425

bestourn1484

renverse1521

transverse1557

evert1566

walter1571

topsy-turn1573

topsy-turve1603

topsy-turvy1626

bouleverse1673

whemmel1721

reverse1768

upset1818

to knock galley-west1875

topsy-turvify1886

topsy-turvyize1893

1886 Sat. Rev. 27 Feb. 286/1 We have topsyturvified the whole theory of politics.

1887 G. Saintsbury Hist. Elizabethan Lit. iv. 146 The topsy-turvified conceits which came to a climax in Crashaw.

topsy-ˈturvily adv. in a topsy-turvy manner.

ΘΠ

the world > space > relative position > inversion > [adverb]

upa1300

nevelinga1387

kew-kaw1399

overc1425

topsy-turvy1530

arsy-versy1545

upside down1569

overhand1579

bottom-up1598

downside up1603

top to bottom1624

inversely1657

invertedly1657

belly-up1749

topsy versy1767

topsy-turvily1886

the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [adverb] > in or into utter disorder

topsy-turvy1528

upsie-turvya1592

cricket-a-wicket1598

chaotically1745

topsy-turvily1886

1886 Daily Tel. 5 Feb. (Cassell) [He] might well be employed for Faust viewed topsyturvily.

1908 Athenæum 29 Aug. 233/1 All the MSS. topsy-turvily give με…γε σοῦ, with the exception of one, which has σε…γε σοῦ, whence Brunck restored σε…γέ μου.

topsy-ˈturviment n. act of turning or condition of being turned topsy-turvy.Apparently an isolated use.

ΘΠ

the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [noun] > inversion of natural order or total disorder

topsy-turvy1655

topsy-turvyhood1791

topsy-turviness1842

upside-downism1861

topsy-turvydom1870

topsy-turvyism1880

topsy-turviment1884

1884 Daily News 28 Mar. 5 The topsy-turvyment of the house.

topsy-ˈturviness n. topsy-turvy quality or condition.

ΘΠ

the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [noun] > inversion of natural order or total disorder

topsy-turvy1655

topsy-turvyhood1791

topsy-turviness1842

upside-downism1861

topsy-turvydom1870

topsy-turvyism1880

topsy-turviment1884

1842 Fraser's Mag. 26 544 Full of sport and fun, frolic and ‘topsy-turvyness’.

1892 Times 22 Dec. 9/3 They lost all perception of the topsy-turvyness of the situation.

† topsy-ˈturvyan n. Obsolete an inhabitant of an imaginary ‘Topsy-turvy Island’.

1745 E. Haywood Female Spectator No. 19 (1755) IV. 11 The present race of the Topsy-Turvyans are..too indolent to reflect on their misfortunes.

topsy-ˈturvydom n. the realm of topsy-turvy, inversion, or confusion; also, topsy-turvy condition or state.

ΘΠ

the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [noun] > inversion of natural order or total disorder

topsy-turvy1655

topsy-turvyhood1791

topsy-turviness1842

upside-downism1861

topsy-turvydom1870

topsy-turvyism1880

topsy-turviment1884

1870 W. S. Gilbert in Fun 19 Mar. 15/1 I dreamt that somehow I had come To dwell in Topsy-Turveydom!

1878 L. Wingfield Lady Grizel III. v. 107 A faint hope that topsy-turvydom might bring with it the glorious bygone days.

1904 Edinb. Rev. Apr. 469 The most absurd instance of Japanese topseyturveydom.

topsy-ˈturvyhood n. = topsy-turviness n.

ΘΠ

the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [noun] > inversion of natural order or total disorder

topsy-turvy1655

topsy-turvyhood1791

topsy-turviness1842

upside-downism1861

topsy-turvydom1870

topsy-turvyism1880

topsy-turviment1884

1791 H. Walpole Let. to Miss M. Berry 19 May That topsy-turvy-hood which characterizes the present age.

1855 C. Dickens Let. 21 Oct. (1993) VII. 723 In that state of topsy-turvyhood.

ˌtopsy-ˈturvying n. and adj.

ΘΠ

the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > [noun] > reversal of natural or proper order

somersault1530

inversion1546

hysteron proteron1584

preposterousness1607

renversement1610

reversala1626

inverse1630

reversement1720

topsy-turvying1807

topsy-turvification1840

upending1968

1807 R. Southey Let. 30 Mar. in Lett. to J. May (1976) ii. 111 In this topsey-turveying of ministers.

1834 R. Southey Doctor II. 59 In the topsy-turveying course of time.

1967 Listener 18 May 654/3 Latham's earlier works were assemblages of torn and paint-covered books... His ‘skoob’ (books spelt backwards) are a cathartic topsy-turvying of the natural reaction of horror at the destruction of the printed word.

topsy-ˈturvyism n. topsy-turvy system or method.Apparently an isolated use.

ΘΠ

the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [noun] > inversion of natural order or total disorder

topsy-turvy1655

topsy-turvyhood1791

topsy-turviness1842

upside-downism1861

topsy-turvydom1870

topsy-turvyism1880

topsy-turviment1884

1880 F. G. Lee Ch. under Q. Elizabeth l. p. xv Disorder and topsy-turvyism must certainly have risen to a perfect climax.

topsy-ˈturvyist n. an advocate of something (considered to be) topsy-turvy.Apparently an isolated use.

ΘΠ

the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > [noun] > reversal of natural or proper order > advocate of

topsy-turvyist1890

1890 Illustr. London News 9 Aug. 166/2 The new school of topsy-turvyists.

topsy-ˈturvyize v. (transitive) to turn topsy-turvy, throw into confusion, upset.Apparently an isolated use.

ΘΠ

the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [verb (transitive)] > throw into utter disorder or upset

to-turna1382

everse?a1425

over-terve?a1425

bestourn1484

renverse1521

transverse1557

evert1566

walter1571

topsy-turn1573

topsy-turve1603

topsy-turvy1626

bouleverse1673

whemmel1721

reverse1768

upset1818

to knock galley-west1875

topsy-turvify1886

topsy-turvyize1893

1893 Daily News 24 July 6/2 Something like an unusual topsy-turvyising of this great throughfare might be looked for.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	topsy-turvy
释义	topsy-turvyadv.adj.n.v. Brit. /ˌtɒpsɪˈtəːvi/, U.S. /ˈˌtɑpsiˈtərvi/ Forms: α. 1500s topsy tervy, tyrvy, turuie, turvy; 1500s– topsy-turvy, (1700s–1800s topsy-turvey). Also 1500s topsituruie, topsituruy, 1600s -turvy, -turvie, topsi-turvi, top-si-turvy; 1500s topsie turuie, topsie turvie, topsie turvey, 1500s–1600s -turuy, 1600s -turvie, -turvy; 1600s topse-turvie. (Now almost always hyphenated; in early use more usually two words; sometimes (in every century) as one word.) β–ι: see below. Etymology: A kind of alliterative or assonant combination, known in print from 1528, but probably in popular use from an earlier period. The early spelling was topsy-tervy or -tirvy , from c1540 written -turvy , -turvie . (Compare the pronunciation of nerve , curve .) As to the actual components no external evidence has been found, and numerous conjectures and suggestions have been offered. Some of the more plausible of these, taking topsy as representing top-set or top-side , have been introduced (by those who favoured them) into the spelling; but amid all these aberrations, the typical form, with mere spelling variants, as topsy , topsie , topsi- , and tervy , tirvy , turvy , turvie , has remained practically constant. It seems certain that the first element contains top (or tops ) and probable that the second is related to terve or tirve v.² to turn, turn over, overturn; but the -sy of the first and -y of the second still want explanation: the former is viewed by some as representing an earlier so, as in up-so-down, now upside-down, so becoming sy under the influence of turvy, the y of which is apparently as in hitty-missy, hurly-burly, arsy-versy. A suggestion that turvy was connected with turf or turve, and referred to the laying of cut turfs or turves face downward, to keep them fresh, is now discarded, as is the earlier notion that turvy might have been altered < t'other way. (There is a certain parallelism between the series up-so-down, later upset-down, upside-down, and top-so-tervy, topsy-tervy, topset-tervy, topside-tervy; but the former has not become upsy-down, nor has any trace of top-so-tervy been yet found, so that the analogy is incomplete.) A. adv. a. With the top where the bottom should be; in or into an inverted position; upside down, bottom upwards; also less definitely, In or into the position of being toppled over, overturned, overthrown, or upset; right over. (Most commonly qualifying the verb turn, or used predicatively after be, lie, etc.) ΘΠ the world > space > relative position > inversion > [adverb] upa1300 nevelinga1387 kew-kaw1399 overc1425 topsy-turvy1530 arsy-versy1545 upside down1569 overhand1579 bottom-up1598 downside up1603 top to bottom1624 inversely1657 invertedly1657 belly-up1749 topsy versy1767 topsy-turvily1886 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 843/1 Topsy tyrvy, ceu dessus dessoubz. 1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde i. ix. f. 46^v They say that..they see the houses turne topsy turuye, and men to walke with theyr heeles vpwarde. 1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey iii. 205 The huge wals and arches turned topsie turuey, and lying like rockes vpon the foundation. 1747 M. Delany Autobiogr. & Corr. (1861) II. 450 As soon as I got into my chair, the chairmen fairly overturned it:..Lord Westmoreland..found me topsy turvy. 1846 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) vi. 46 A chaos of carts, overthrown and jumbled together, lay topsy-turvy at the bottom of a..hill. 1846 A. Smith Christopher Tadpole (1848) ix. 92 Wondering how the flies could walk topsy-turvy on the ceiling. 1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems xvii. 9 Catullus adjures thee Head~long into the mire below topsy-turvy to drown him. 1907 F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (ed. 2 reissued) I. 297 He writes topsy-turvy in sympathetic ink, between the lines of a letter ostensibly full of public news. b. figurative. With the higher where the lower should be; in or into a reversed condition; with inversion of the natural or proper order; less definitely, With things all in wrong places or positions; in or into utter confusion, dislocation, or disorder. ΘΠ the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [adverb] > in or into utter disorder topsy-turvy1528 upsie-turvya1592 cricket-a-wicket1598 chaotically1745 topsy-turvily1886 the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > [adverb] > in reversed order reversea1393 topsy-turvy1528 preposterously1533 hysteron proteron1602 inverselya1628 inversedly1645 reversedly1649 reversely1659 reverse ways1762 ass-backward1939 1528 Rede me & be nott Wrothe sig. c v^v He tourneth all thynge topsy tervy. ?c1550 tr. P. Vergil Eng. Hist. (1846) I. 283 The deathe of Canutus didd noe lesse turne all thinges topsie-turvie in Denmarcke. 1579 W. Fulke Heskins Parl. Repealed in D. Heskins Ouerthrowne 215 This comparison is topsituruie. a1640 F. Beaumont et al. Loves Cure ii. ii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Rrrrr2/2 Custome hath turn'd nature topsie-turvy in you. 1670 G. Havers tr. G. Leti Il Cardinalismo di Santa Chiesa ii. i. 128 Turning all Europe as it were top-si-turvy. 1780 A. Young Tour Ireland (ed. 2) II. xviii. 268 It is the intention and effect of this bounty to turn every local advantage, and natural supply topsy turvy. 1833 H. Martineau French Wines & Politics viii. 125 How strangely the values of things are turned topsy-turvy! 1866 R. M. Ballantyne Shifting Winds xxvii. 304 A world of inconsistencies, where things are all topsy-turvy, so to speak. c. Also in various altered or corrupt forms, mostly indicating popular or conjectural etymologies: see above. Π β. 1500s topset tourvie, toruie, turvie, -tirvi. 1549 T. Chaloner tr. Erasmus Praise of Folie sig. Aiij Bothe holy and vnholy thyngs be tourned topset touruie. 1556 N. Grimald tr. Cicero Thre Bks. Duties i. f. 11 Who turned topset toruie all the lawes of God. 1573 G. Harvey Let.-bk. (1884) 53 Thus within a few years al shuld be turnid topset tirvi. γ. 1500s top syd turuye, ( topside turfway), 1500s–1700s topside turvy, 1500s–1800s -vey.1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 35 Top syd turuye be turned Al thee Princelye thrasholds.1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene v. viii. sig. T3 At last they haue all ouerthrowne to ground Quite topside turuey . View more context for this quotation1686 J. Goad Astro-meteorologica iii. iv. 499 Dreadful Tempest, turned several Villages..Topside-turvy.c1695 Countess of Pembroke Psalme lviii. 34 in Coll. Wks. (1998) II. 262 [MS B only] With whirlwinds topside turfway blown.1713 J. Addison in Guardian 7 Sept. 1/2 I found Nature turned top-side turvy, Women changed into Men, and Men into Women.1761 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy IV. xix. 134 How was my system turned topside turvy..!1815 M. Pilkington Celebrity III. i. 25 The world must be turned topside-turvey.δ. 1500s topside thother-way, 1600s topside t'other way, 1700s topside the other way.1577 R. Stanyhurst Treat. Descr. Irelande iii. f. 14^v/1, in R. Holinshed Chron. I The estate of that flourishing towne was tourned arsye versye, topside thother-way.1655 H. L'Estrange Reign King Charles 75 Thus were all things strangely turned in a trice topside t'other way.1768 A. Tucker Light of Nature (1834) I. 456 His [Socrates'] words are to be turned topside the other way to understand them.ε. 1500s typsiturvy, typsy tyrvye, 1700s tipsy-turvy.1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 324 b The generall fraylty of nature will violently carry you away typsiturvy.1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 569 Typsy tyrvye.1766 C. Anstey New Bath Guide ii. ii. 14 Their Systems..all turn'd topsy-turvy.ζ. 1600s tupsiturvie.1640 J. Howell Δενδρολογια 50 They would have turned up tupsiturvie the very kingdome of Satan.η. 1500s top turuye.1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis i. 14 His launce staffe thee dust top turuye doth harrow.θ. 1600s topsiturnie, topsie turnie.1617 J. Minsheu Ἡγεμὼν είς τὰς γλῶσσας: Ductor in Linguas Topsiturnie, the topside turned..Arsiuersie.1655 in Clarendon Papers No. 1753 [They] would assuredly turne all that hath been ajusted topsie turnie.ι. Scottish (? associated with topsail: see [see topsail n. and adv. Phrases 2]. ) 1600s topsoltiria, tops o're tiria, 1700s–1800s tapsalteerie, 1800s tapsal-, tapsil-, tapsul-teerie, -teery, tapseeteerie, topsieteerie.1623 W. Lithgow Trav. 202 Let all the misticall drifts and ambiguous designes..turne topsoltiria, or upside downe, I care not.1684 in Maidment Bk. Scott. Pasquils (1868) 326 There was a duke so full of pryde There durst no man come neeria Till cam a monkey out of Fife And dang him tops o're tiria.1787 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) I. 59 An' warly cares, an' warly men, May a' gae tapsalteerie, O!1801 H. Macneill Poet. Wks. II. 55 And dealing round strong punch and joke, Good-humour'd mad near twa o'clock Turns a' things tapsilteery!1805 A. Scott Poems (1808) 100 For tapsee-teerie lie the sheaves.1827 J. Wilson Noctes Ambrosianae xxxiv, in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. July 110 Wi' ae desperate wallop we baith gaed tapsalteerie. B. adj. Turned upside down; inverted, reversed; figurative utterly confused or disorderly. ΘΠ the world > space > relative position > inversion > [adjective] enversed?1440 inverse?1440 turned1513 overturned1561 inversed1592 inverted1598 topsy-turvy1618 downside up1683 headlong1713 upturned1816 Antipodean1853 upside down1866 the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [adjective] > in utter disorder topsy-turvy1618 chaotic1688 chaotical1826 tipsy-topsy1826 upside down1866 topsy-turvical1882 1618 W. Barlow Breife Discov. Idle Animadversions 8 With those topsituruy motions. 1710 J. Swift Medit. Broom-stick 7 What is Man, but a Topsy-turvy Creature..His Head where his Heels should be. 1747 S. Richardson Clarissa II. xxxii. 219 Dear! What a topsy-turvy house is This? 1856 F. E. Paget Owlet of Owlstone Edge 1 This queer topsy-turvy world. 1873 M. E. Braddon Lucius Davoren i. i It was the topsy-turviest kind of thing I ever heard in my life. 1887 Spectator 6 Aug. 1050/2 A very topsy-turvy way of reasoning. 1904 Westm. Gaz. 3 June 8/1 Inventor and engineer of the topsy-turvy railway. C. n. The act of turning or fact of being turned upside down; inversion of the proper order; state of utter confusion or disorder. ΘΠ the world > space > relative position > inversion > [noun] turning1536 inversion1598 reversing1610 topsy-turvy1655 resupination1661 canting1769 retroversion1790 supernaculum1827 upturning1846 upending1968 the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [noun] > inversion of natural order or total disorder topsy-turvy1655 topsy-turvyhood1791 topsy-turviness1842 upside-downism1861 topsy-turvydom1870 topsy-turvyism1880 topsy-turviment1884 1655 tr. C. Sorel Comical Hist. Francion iv. 10 They played topsy turvy excellently well, for there was not a book in all the Study which..they had not thrown on the ground. 1683 E. Hooker in J. Pordage Theologia Mystica Pref. Epist. 24 The whol frame of the world seemeth to me..to circumgyrate, to wheel, whirl, and turn round about in a Topsi-Turvi. 1692 tr. Sallust Wks. 3 Nor should we see such Topsy-Turvies in the World. 1823 T. Moore Fables Holy Alliance iv. 2 Of all that, to the sage's survey, This world presents of topsy-turvey. 1879 ‘G. Eliot’ Theophrastus Such x. 181 Finds matter for screaming laughter in mere topsy-turvy. D. v. transitive. To turn topsy-turvy or upside down; to invert; figurative to reverse; to throw into utter confusion, upset or disorder greatly. ΘΠ the world > space > relative position > inversion > invert [verb (transitive)] to-wendc893 whelvec1000 to turn down?c1335 to turn up?c1335 whelmc1340 overturna1382 to turn overa1400 wholve14.. inverse?a1425 reverse?a1425 overwhelvec1450 overvolvea1522 transverse1557 evert1566 topsy-turn1573 topsy-turve1603 invert1610 upturn1610 whave1611 topsy-turvy1626 whemmel1684 cant1850 upend1868 flip-flop1924 the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [verb (transitive)] > throw into utter disorder or upset to-turna1382 everse?a1425 over-terve?a1425 bestourn1484 renverse1521 transverse1557 evert1566 walter1571 topsy-turn1573 topsy-turve1603 topsy-turvy1626 bouleverse1673 whemmel1721 reverse1768 upset1818 to knock galley-west1875 topsy-turvify1886 topsy-turvyize1893 1626 T. Hawkins tr. N. Caussin Holy Court I. 163 They had..one sole action in this life, which is to topsy-turuy all things, and to do nothing. 1863 G. A. Sala Strange Adventures Capt. Dangerous II. iv. 148 He..Topsy-turvies his goblet. Derivatives topsy-ˈturvical adj. of a topsy-turvy character.Apparently an isolated use. ΘΠ the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [adjective] > in utter disorder topsy-turvy1618 chaotic1688 chaotical1826 tipsy-topsy1826 upside down1866 topsy-turvical1882 1882 Pall Mall Gaz. 10 Oct. 6 Its topsy-turvical fun is characteristic of the author. ˌtopsy-ˈturvied adj. Π 1740 S. Richardson Pamela II. 40 My poor Mind is all topsy-turvy'd. topsy-turvifiˈcation n. a making or turning topsy-turvy, reversal of the natural order. ΘΠ the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > [noun] > reversal of natural or proper order somersault1530 inversion1546 hysteron proteron1584 preposterousness1607 renversement1610 reversala1626 inverse1630 reversement1720 topsy-turvying1807 topsy-turvification1840 upending1968 1840 W. M. Thackeray Paris Sketch Bk. II. 111 A regular topsyturvyfication of morality. 1879 G. Saintsbury in Fortn. Rev. No. 151. 55 One of the oddest topsyturvifications of a noble sentiment to be anywhere found. topsy-ˈturvify v. (transitive) to make or turn topsy-turvy. ΘΠ the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [verb (transitive)] > throw into utter disorder or upset to-turna1382 everse?a1425 over-terve?a1425 bestourn1484 renverse1521 transverse1557 evert1566 walter1571 topsy-turn1573 topsy-turve1603 topsy-turvy1626 bouleverse1673 whemmel1721 reverse1768 upset1818 to knock galley-west1875 topsy-turvify1886 topsy-turvyize1893 1886 Sat. Rev. 27 Feb. 286/1 We have topsyturvified the whole theory of politics. 1887 G. Saintsbury Hist. Elizabethan Lit. iv. 146 The topsy-turvified conceits which came to a climax in Crashaw. topsy-ˈturvily adv. in a topsy-turvy manner. ΘΠ the world > space > relative position > inversion > [adverb] upa1300 nevelinga1387 kew-kaw1399 overc1425 topsy-turvy1530 arsy-versy1545 upside down1569 overhand1579 bottom-up1598 downside up1603 top to bottom1624 inversely1657 invertedly1657 belly-up1749 topsy versy1767 topsy-turvily1886 the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [adverb] > in or into utter disorder topsy-turvy1528 upsie-turvya1592 cricket-a-wicket1598 chaotically1745 topsy-turvily1886 1886 Daily Tel. 5 Feb. (Cassell) [He] might well be employed for Faust viewed topsyturvily. 1908 Athenæum 29 Aug. 233/1 All the MSS. topsy-turvily give με…γε σοῦ, with the exception of one, which has σε…γε σοῦ, whence Brunck restored σε…γέ μου. topsy-ˈturviment n. act of turning or condition of being turned topsy-turvy.Apparently an isolated use. ΘΠ the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [noun] > inversion of natural order or total disorder topsy-turvy1655 topsy-turvyhood1791 topsy-turviness1842 upside-downism1861 topsy-turvydom1870 topsy-turvyism1880 topsy-turviment1884 1884 Daily News 28 Mar. 5 The topsy-turvyment of the house. topsy-ˈturviness n. topsy-turvy quality or condition. ΘΠ the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [noun] > inversion of natural order or total disorder topsy-turvy1655 topsy-turvyhood1791 topsy-turviness1842 upside-downism1861 topsy-turvydom1870 topsy-turvyism1880 topsy-turviment1884 1842 Fraser's Mag. 26 544 Full of sport and fun, frolic and ‘topsy-turvyness’. 1892 Times 22 Dec. 9/3 They lost all perception of the topsy-turvyness of the situation. † topsy-ˈturvyan n. Obsolete an inhabitant of an imaginary ‘Topsy-turvy Island’. Π 1745 E. Haywood Female Spectator No. 19 (1755) IV. 11 The present race of the Topsy-Turvyans are..too indolent to reflect on their misfortunes. topsy-ˈturvydom n. the realm of topsy-turvy, inversion, or confusion; also, topsy-turvy condition or state. ΘΠ the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [noun] > inversion of natural order or total disorder topsy-turvy1655 topsy-turvyhood1791 topsy-turviness1842 upside-downism1861 topsy-turvydom1870 topsy-turvyism1880 topsy-turviment1884 1870 W. S. Gilbert in Fun 19 Mar. 15/1 I dreamt that somehow I had come To dwell in Topsy-Turveydom! 1878 L. Wingfield Lady Grizel III. v. 107 A faint hope that topsy-turvydom might bring with it the glorious bygone days. 1904 Edinb. Rev. Apr. 469 The most absurd instance of Japanese topseyturveydom. topsy-ˈturvyhood n. = topsy-turviness n. ΘΠ the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [noun] > inversion of natural order or total disorder topsy-turvy1655 topsy-turvyhood1791 topsy-turviness1842 upside-downism1861 topsy-turvydom1870 topsy-turvyism1880 topsy-turviment1884 1791 H. Walpole Let. to Miss M. Berry 19 May That topsy-turvy-hood which characterizes the present age. 1855 C. Dickens Let. 21 Oct. (1993) VII. 723 In that state of topsy-turvyhood. ˌtopsy-ˈturvying n. and adj. ΘΠ the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > [noun] > reversal of natural or proper order somersault1530 inversion1546 hysteron proteron1584 preposterousness1607 renversement1610 reversala1626 inverse1630 reversement1720 topsy-turvying1807 topsy-turvification1840 upending1968 1807 R. Southey Let. 30 Mar. in Lett. to J. May (1976) ii. 111 In this topsey-turveying of ministers. 1834 R. Southey Doctor II. 59 In the topsy-turveying course of time. 1967 Listener 18 May 654/3 Latham's earlier works were assemblages of torn and paint-covered books... His ‘skoob’ (books spelt backwards) are a cathartic topsy-turvying of the natural reaction of horror at the destruction of the printed word. topsy-ˈturvyism n. topsy-turvy system or method.Apparently an isolated use. ΘΠ the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [noun] > inversion of natural order or total disorder topsy-turvy1655 topsy-turvyhood1791 topsy-turviness1842 upside-downism1861 topsy-turvydom1870 topsy-turvyism1880 topsy-turviment1884 1880 F. G. Lee Ch. under Q. Elizabeth l. p. xv Disorder and topsy-turvyism must certainly have risen to a perfect climax. topsy-ˈturvyist n. an advocate of something (considered to be) topsy-turvy.Apparently an isolated use. ΘΠ the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > [noun] > reversal of natural or proper order > advocate of topsy-turvyist1890 1890 Illustr. London News 9 Aug. 166/2 The new school of topsy-turvyists. topsy-ˈturvyize v. (transitive) to turn topsy-turvy, throw into confusion, upset.Apparently an isolated use. ΘΠ the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [verb (transitive)] > throw into utter disorder or upset to-turna1382 everse?a1425 over-terve?a1425 bestourn1484 renverse1521 transverse1557 evert1566 walter1571 topsy-turn1573 topsy-turve1603 topsy-turvy1626 bouleverse1673 whemmel1721 reverse1768 upset1818 to knock galley-west1875 topsy-turvify1886 topsy-turvyize1893 1893 Daily News 24 July 6/2 Something like an unusual topsy-turvyising of this great throughfare might be looked for. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < adv.adj.n.v.1528
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