In the expression “Topsy turvy” what exactly is meant by the word turvy?
In the expression “Topsy turvy” what exactly is meant by the word turvy?
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I’ve also heard it expressed as a** over tea kettle…
I always picture the old nursery rhyme, Jack and Jill… and the tumble down the hill.
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The following paste from the American Heritage Dictionary (online at www.bartleby.com):-
topsy-turvy
ADVERB: 1. With the top downward and the bottom up; upside-down. 2. In or into a state of utter disorder or confusion: “turning our ordered life topsy-turvy” (Anne Tyler).
ADJECTIVE: Inflected forms: top·sy-tur·vi·er, top·sy-tur·vi·est
1. Turned or positioned upside down; inverted. 2. Confused or disordered.
NOUN: Inflected forms: pl. top·sy-tur·vies
The quality or condition of being topsy-turvy.
ETYMOLOGY: Probably from top + obsolete terve, to overturn (from Middle English terven).
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topsy turvy is to turn upside down. or head over heels. so topsy= head turvy= heels.
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Neither individual part of the term means anything – the whole thing means upside down, but that isn’t a literal meaning.
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