2007-07-01 17:48:57 · 4 answers · asked by ? 6 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
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.
2007-07-01 18:40:06 · answer #1 · answered by gldnsilnc 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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).
2007-07-02 01:07:38 · answer #2 · answered by JohnC 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
topsy turvy is to turn upside down. or head over heels. so topsy= head turvy= heels.
2007-07-02 01:01:04 · answer #3 · answered by ruth4526 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither individual part of the term means anything - the whole thing means upside down, but that isn't a literal meaning.
2007-07-02 00:56:10 · answer #4 · answered by neniaf 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋