"topsy-turvy" meaning in All languages combined

See topsy-turvy on Wiktionary

Adjective [English]

IPA: /ˌtɒpsɪˈtəːvi/ [Received-Pronunciation], /ˈˌtɑpsiˈtɚvi/ [General-American] Audio: En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg [General-American], En-au-topsy turvy.ogg [Australia] Forms: topsy-turvier [comparative], topsy-turviest [superlative]
Etymology: The origin of the adverb and adjective are uncertain. Topsy is probably derived from top or tops though this does not explain the -sy ending; it has been suggested that the latter comes from so (thus, top so) or from top-set or top-side, modified to match the -y ending of turvy. The term topside-turvy is mentioned in the Anglo-Irish writer Laurence Sterne’s novel, The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (1759–1767).Turvy is probably derived from terve, turve (“to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over”) (obsolete) + -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’), with turve inherited from Middle English terven (“to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall”) […], perhaps from Old English *tierfan (compare Old English tearflian (“to roll over, wallow”)) or from Old English torfian (“to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed”), from Proto-Germanic *turbōną (“to fling, hurl”), *turbijaną (“to turn, twist”) (whence Old English ġetyrfian (“to assail with missiles; to assault, attack”)), from Proto-Indo-European *derbʰ- (“to spin, twist”). Thus, the term as a whole may literally mean “having the top side thrown or turned down”. The noun and verb are probably derived from the adverb and adjective. Etymology templates: {{root|en|ine-pro|*derbʰ-}}, {{glossary|adverb}} adverb, {{glossary|adjective}} adjective, {{uncertain|en|nocap=1}} uncertain, {{m|en|top}} top, {{m|en|tops}} tops, {{m|en|so}} so, {{m|en|topside|top-side}} top-side, {{m|en|terve}} terve, {{m|en|turve|t=to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over}} turve (“to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over”), {{qualifier|obsolete}} (obsolete), {{glossary|suffix}} suffix, {{suffix|en||y|pos2=suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’}} + -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’), {{m|en||turve}} turve, {{inh|en|enm|terven|t=to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall}} Middle English terven (“to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall”), {{nb...|terve, tirue, tirve, tirven, tyrve, tyrwe}} […], {{inh|en|ang|*tierfan}} Old English *tierfan, {{cog|ang|tearflian|t=to roll over, wallow}} Old English tearflian (“to roll over, wallow”), {{inh|en|ang|torfian|t=to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed}} Old English torfian (“to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed”), {{inh|en|gem-pro|*turbōną|t=to fling, hurl}} Proto-Germanic *turbōną (“to fling, hurl”), {{m|gem-pro|*turbijaną|t=to turn, twist}} *turbijaną (“to turn, twist”), {{cog|ang|ġetyrfian|t=to assail with missiles; to assault, attack}} Old English ġetyrfian (“to assail with missiles; to assault, attack”), {{der|en|ine-pro|*derbʰ-|t=to spin, twist}} Proto-Indo-European *derbʰ- (“to spin, twist”), {{glossary|noun}} noun, {{glossary|verb}} verb Head templates: {{en-adj|er}} topsy-turvy (comparative topsy-turvier, superlative topsy-turviest)
  1. Backwards or upside down. Synonyms: inverted, reversed Translations (backwards or upside down): på hovedet (Danish), achterstevoren (Dutch), ondersteboven (Dutch), nurinkurinen (Finnish), takaperoinen (Finnish), à l’envers (French), sens dessus dessous (French), ao revés (Galician), auf den Kopf gestellt (German), kopfstehend (German), tèt anba (Haitian Creole), sottosopra (Italian), omkalfatret (Norwegian Bokmål), tapsalteerie (english: upside down) [also, figuratively] (Scots), turrach-air-tharrach (Scottish Gaelic), hore nohami (Slovak), naopak (Slovak), al revés (Spanish), மேலும் கீழும் (mēlum kīḻum) (Tamil)
    Sense id: en-topsy-turvy-en-adj-FAie6YvJ Disambiguation of 'backwards or upside down': 98 2
  2. (figurative) Chaotic; disorderly. Tags: figuratively Translations (chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly): kaotisk (Danish), chaotisch (Dutch), wanordelijk (Dutch), sekava (Finnish), sotkuinen (Finnish), sens dessus dessous (French), chaotisch (German), unordentlich (German), sottosopra (Italian), kaumingomingo (Maori), kōhangaweka (Maori), tīraurau (Maori), rù-rà (Scottish Gaelic), domotaný (Slovak), caotico (Spanish), desordenado (Spanish)
    Sense id: en-topsy-turvy-en-adj-DPcUfsAK Categories (other): English entries with incorrect language header, English entries with language name categories using raw markup, English reduplications, English terms suffixed with -y, English terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys Disambiguation of English entries with incorrect language header: 8 12 19 19 17 7 4 7 6 Disambiguation of English entries with language name categories using raw markup: 8 24 18 15 15 7 3 7 5 Disambiguation of English reduplications: 4 25 16 15 19 6 5 5 4 Disambiguation of English terms suffixed with -y: 5 31 12 14 14 6 6 7 6 Disambiguation of English terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys: 8 26 18 14 16 5 2 7 3 Disambiguation of 'chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly': 6 94
The following are not (yet) sense-disambiguated
Synonyms: topsyturvy, topsy turvy, topsy-turvey

Adverb [English]

IPA: /ˌtɒpsɪˈtəːvi/ [Received-Pronunciation], /ˈˌtɑpsiˈtɚvi/ [General-American] Audio: En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg [General-American], En-au-topsy turvy.ogg [Australia] Forms: more topsy-turvy [comparative], most topsy-turvy [superlative]
Etymology: The origin of the adverb and adjective are uncertain. Topsy is probably derived from top or tops though this does not explain the -sy ending; it has been suggested that the latter comes from so (thus, top so) or from top-set or top-side, modified to match the -y ending of turvy. The term topside-turvy is mentioned in the Anglo-Irish writer Laurence Sterne’s novel, The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (1759–1767).Turvy is probably derived from terve, turve (“to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over”) (obsolete) + -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’), with turve inherited from Middle English terven (“to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall”) […], perhaps from Old English *tierfan (compare Old English tearflian (“to roll over, wallow”)) or from Old English torfian (“to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed”), from Proto-Germanic *turbōną (“to fling, hurl”), *turbijaną (“to turn, twist”) (whence Old English ġetyrfian (“to assail with missiles; to assault, attack”)), from Proto-Indo-European *derbʰ- (“to spin, twist”). Thus, the term as a whole may literally mean “having the top side thrown or turned down”. The noun and verb are probably derived from the adverb and adjective. Etymology templates: {{root|en|ine-pro|*derbʰ-}}, {{glossary|adverb}} adverb, {{glossary|adjective}} adjective, {{uncertain|en|nocap=1}} uncertain, {{m|en|top}} top, {{m|en|tops}} tops, {{m|en|so}} so, {{m|en|topside|top-side}} top-side, {{m|en|terve}} terve, {{m|en|turve|t=to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over}} turve (“to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over”), {{qualifier|obsolete}} (obsolete), {{glossary|suffix}} suffix, {{suffix|en||y|pos2=suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’}} + -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’), {{m|en||turve}} turve, {{inh|en|enm|terven|t=to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall}} Middle English terven (“to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall”), {{nb...|terve, tirue, tirve, tirven, tyrve, tyrwe}} […], {{inh|en|ang|*tierfan}} Old English *tierfan, {{cog|ang|tearflian|t=to roll over, wallow}} Old English tearflian (“to roll over, wallow”), {{inh|en|ang|torfian|t=to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed}} Old English torfian (“to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed”), {{inh|en|gem-pro|*turbōną|t=to fling, hurl}} Proto-Germanic *turbōną (“to fling, hurl”), {{m|gem-pro|*turbijaną|t=to turn, twist}} *turbijaną (“to turn, twist”), {{cog|ang|ġetyrfian|t=to assail with missiles; to assault, attack}} Old English ġetyrfian (“to assail with missiles; to assault, attack”), {{der|en|ine-pro|*derbʰ-|t=to spin, twist}} Proto-Indo-European *derbʰ- (“to spin, twist”), {{glossary|noun}} noun, {{glossary|verb}} verb Head templates: {{en-adv}} topsy-turvy (comparative more topsy-turvy, superlative most topsy-turvy)
  1. Backwards or upside down; also, having been overturned or upset. Synonyms: inverted, reversed, upside down Translations (backwards or upside down): с главата надолу (s glavata nadolu) (Bulgarian), nurin niskoin (Finnish), nurin perin (Finnish), takaperin (Finnish), ylösalaisin (Finnish), auf den Kopf gestellt (German), bilo-balo (Italian), sotto-sopra (Italian), sottosopra (Italian), de ponta-cabeça (Portuguese), вверх дно́м (vverx dnóm) (english: upside down) (Russian), tapsalteerie (english: upside down) [also, figuratively] (Scots), bun-os-cionn (Scottish Gaelic), altüst (Turkish)
    Sense id: en-topsy-turvy-en-adv-Lr867Mv1 Categories (other): English entries with incorrect language header Disambiguation of English entries with incorrect language header: 8 12 19 19 17 7 4 7 6 Disambiguation of 'backwards or upside down': 99 1
  2. (figurative) Not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner; chaotically. Tags: figuratively Translations (not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically): в безпорядък (v bezporjadǎk) (Bulgarian), hujan hajan (Finnish), mullin mallin (Finnish), sekaisin (Finnish), sikin sokin (Finnish), vinksin vonksin (Finnish), heikun keikun (Finnish), chaotisch (German), unordentlich (German), кувырко́м (kuvyrkóm) (Russian), ши́ворот-навы́ворот (šívorot-navývorot) (Russian), caótico (Spanish), desordenadamente (Spanish), patas arriba (Spanish)
    Sense id: en-topsy-turvy-en-adv-lL7x8d~6 Categories (other): English entries with incorrect language header Disambiguation of English entries with incorrect language header: 8 12 19 19 17 7 4 7 6 Disambiguation of 'not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically': 8 92
The following are not (yet) sense-disambiguated
Synonyms: topside-turvy [obsolete], topsyturvy, topsy turvy Derived forms: topsy-turvification, topsy-turvify, topsy-turvily, topsy-turviness, topsy-turvyness, topsy-turvydom, topsy-turvyhood

Noun [English]

IPA: /ˌtɒpsɪˈtəːvi/ [Received-Pronunciation], /ˈˌtɑpsiˈtɚvi/ [General-American] Audio: En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg [General-American], En-au-topsy turvy.ogg [Australia] Forms: topsy-turvies [plural]
Etymology: The origin of the adverb and adjective are uncertain. Topsy is probably derived from top or tops though this does not explain the -sy ending; it has been suggested that the latter comes from so (thus, top so) or from top-set or top-side, modified to match the -y ending of turvy. The term topside-turvy is mentioned in the Anglo-Irish writer Laurence Sterne’s novel, The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (1759–1767).Turvy is probably derived from terve, turve (“to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over”) (obsolete) + -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’), with turve inherited from Middle English terven (“to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall”) […], perhaps from Old English *tierfan (compare Old English tearflian (“to roll over, wallow”)) or from Old English torfian (“to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed”), from Proto-Germanic *turbōną (“to fling, hurl”), *turbijaną (“to turn, twist”) (whence Old English ġetyrfian (“to assail with missiles; to assault, attack”)), from Proto-Indo-European *derbʰ- (“to spin, twist”). Thus, the term as a whole may literally mean “having the top side thrown or turned down”. The noun and verb are probably derived from the adverb and adjective. Etymology templates: {{root|en|ine-pro|*derbʰ-}}, {{glossary|adverb}} adverb, {{glossary|adjective}} adjective, {{uncertain|en|nocap=1}} uncertain, {{m|en|top}} top, {{m|en|tops}} tops, {{m|en|so}} so, {{m|en|topside|top-side}} top-side, {{m|en|terve}} terve, {{m|en|turve|t=to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over}} turve (“to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over”), {{qualifier|obsolete}} (obsolete), {{glossary|suffix}} suffix, {{suffix|en||y|pos2=suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’}} + -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’), {{m|en||turve}} turve, {{inh|en|enm|terven|t=to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall}} Middle English terven (“to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall”), {{nb...|terve, tirue, tirve, tirven, tyrve, tyrwe}} […], {{inh|en|ang|*tierfan}} Old English *tierfan, {{cog|ang|tearflian|t=to roll over, wallow}} Old English tearflian (“to roll over, wallow”), {{inh|en|ang|torfian|t=to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed}} Old English torfian (“to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed”), {{inh|en|gem-pro|*turbōną|t=to fling, hurl}} Proto-Germanic *turbōną (“to fling, hurl”), {{m|gem-pro|*turbijaną|t=to turn, twist}} *turbijaną (“to turn, twist”), {{cog|ang|ġetyrfian|t=to assail with missiles; to assault, attack}} Old English ġetyrfian (“to assail with missiles; to assault, attack”), {{der|en|ine-pro|*derbʰ-|t=to spin, twist}} Proto-Indo-European *derbʰ- (“to spin, twist”), {{glossary|noun}} noun, {{glossary|verb}} verb Head templates: {{en-noun|~}} topsy-turvy (countable and uncountable, plural topsy-turvies)
  1. (countable) An act of turning something backwards or upside down, or the situation that something is in after this has happened. Tags: countable
    Sense id: en-topsy-turvy-en-noun-UG8sPkU5 Categories (other): English entries with incorrect language header Disambiguation of English entries with incorrect language header: 8 12 19 19 17 7 4 7 6
  2. (countable, figurative) A situation where the natural order of things has been upset. Tags: countable, figuratively Translations (situation where the natural order of things has been upset): безпорядък (bezporjadǎk) [masculine] (Bulgarian)
    Sense id: en-topsy-turvy-en-noun-Tw78XgkM Disambiguation of 'situation where the natural order of things has been upset': 9 90 1
  3. (uncountable, figurative) Chaos, confusion, disorder. Tags: figuratively, uncountable
    Sense id: en-topsy-turvy-en-noun-Y~8f~Zu2

Verb [English]

IPA: /ˌtɒpsɪˈtəːvi/ [Received-Pronunciation], /ˈˌtɑpsiˈtɚvi/ [General-American] Audio: En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg [General-American], En-au-topsy turvy.ogg [Australia] Forms: topsy-turvies [present, singular, third-person], topsy-turvys [present, singular, third-person], topsy-turvying [participle, present], topsy-turvied [participle, past], topsy-turvied [past], topsy-turvyed [participle, past], topsy-turvyed [past]
Etymology: The origin of the adverb and adjective are uncertain. Topsy is probably derived from top or tops though this does not explain the -sy ending; it has been suggested that the latter comes from so (thus, top so) or from top-set or top-side, modified to match the -y ending of turvy. The term topside-turvy is mentioned in the Anglo-Irish writer Laurence Sterne’s novel, The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (1759–1767).Turvy is probably derived from terve, turve (“to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over”) (obsolete) + -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’), with turve inherited from Middle English terven (“to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall”) […], perhaps from Old English *tierfan (compare Old English tearflian (“to roll over, wallow”)) or from Old English torfian (“to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed”), from Proto-Germanic *turbōną (“to fling, hurl”), *turbijaną (“to turn, twist”) (whence Old English ġetyrfian (“to assail with missiles; to assault, attack”)), from Proto-Indo-European *derbʰ- (“to spin, twist”). Thus, the term as a whole may literally mean “having the top side thrown or turned down”. The noun and verb are probably derived from the adverb and adjective. Etymology templates: {{root|en|ine-pro|*derbʰ-}}, {{glossary|adverb}} adverb, {{glossary|adjective}} adjective, {{uncertain|en|nocap=1}} uncertain, {{m|en|top}} top, {{m|en|tops}} tops, {{m|en|so}} so, {{m|en|topside|top-side}} top-side, {{m|en|terve}} terve, {{m|en|turve|t=to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over}} turve (“to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over”), {{qualifier|obsolete}} (obsolete), {{glossary|suffix}} suffix, {{suffix|en||y|pos2=suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’}} + -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’), {{m|en||turve}} turve, {{inh|en|enm|terven|t=to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall}} Middle English terven (“to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall”), {{nb...|terve, tirue, tirve, tirven, tyrve, tyrwe}} […], {{inh|en|ang|*tierfan}} Old English *tierfan, {{cog|ang|tearflian|t=to roll over, wallow}} Old English tearflian (“to roll over, wallow”), {{inh|en|ang|torfian|t=to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed}} Old English torfian (“to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed”), {{inh|en|gem-pro|*turbōną|t=to fling, hurl}} Proto-Germanic *turbōną (“to fling, hurl”), {{m|gem-pro|*turbijaną|t=to turn, twist}} *turbijaną (“to turn, twist”), {{cog|ang|ġetyrfian|t=to assail with missiles; to assault, attack}} Old English ġetyrfian (“to assail with missiles; to assault, attack”), {{der|en|ine-pro|*derbʰ-|t=to spin, twist}} Proto-Indo-European *derbʰ- (“to spin, twist”), {{glossary|noun}} noun, {{glossary|verb}} verb Head templates: {{en-verb|past2=topsy-turvyed|pres_3sg2=topsy-turvys}} topsy-turvy (third-person singular simple present topsy-turvies or topsy-turvys, present participle topsy-turvying, simple past and past participle topsy-turvied or topsy-turvyed)
  1. (transitive) To turn topsy-turvy or upside down; to invert. Tags: transitive
    Sense id: en-topsy-turvy-en-verb-X1W0EshV
  2. (transitive, figurative) To throw into chaos or disorder; to upset. Tags: figuratively, transitive
    Sense id: en-topsy-turvy-en-verb-Mqbie2mo
The following are not (yet) sense-disambiguated
Synonyms: topsy turvy, topsy-turvey Derived forms: topsy-turvied [adjective], topsy-turvying [adjective, noun]

Inflected forms

Alternative forms

Download JSON data for topsy-turvy meaning in All languages combined (44.2kB)

{
  "derived": [
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0",
      "word": "topsy-turvification"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0",
      "word": "topsy-turvify"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0",
      "word": "topsy-turvily"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0",
      "word": "topsy-turviness"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0",
      "word": "topsy-turvyness"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0",
      "word": "topsy-turvydom"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0",
      "word": "topsy-turvyhood"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ine-pro",
        "3": "*derbʰ-"
      },
      "expansion": "",
      "name": "root"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "adverb"
      },
      "expansion": "adverb",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "adjective"
      },
      "expansion": "adjective",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "nocap": "1"
      },
      "expansion": "uncertain",
      "name": "uncertain"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "top"
      },
      "expansion": "top",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "tops"
      },
      "expansion": "tops",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "so"
      },
      "expansion": "so",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "topside",
        "3": "top-side"
      },
      "expansion": "top-side",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "terve"
      },
      "expansion": "terve",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "turve",
        "t": "to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over"
      },
      "expansion": "turve (“to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over”)",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "obsolete"
      },
      "expansion": "(obsolete)",
      "name": "qualifier"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "suffix"
      },
      "expansion": "suffix",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "",
        "3": "y",
        "pos2": "suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’"
      },
      "expansion": "+ -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’)",
      "name": "suffix"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "",
        "3": "turve"
      },
      "expansion": "turve",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "enm",
        "3": "terven",
        "t": "to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle English terven (“to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall”)",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "terve, tirue, tirve, tirven, tyrve, tyrwe"
      },
      "expansion": "[…]",
      "name": "nb..."
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ang",
        "3": "*tierfan"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English *tierfan",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "ang",
        "2": "tearflian",
        "t": "to roll over, wallow"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English tearflian (“to roll over, wallow”)",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ang",
        "3": "torfian",
        "t": "to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English torfian (“to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed”)",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "gem-pro",
        "3": "*turbōną",
        "t": "to fling, hurl"
      },
      "expansion": "Proto-Germanic *turbōną (“to fling, hurl”)",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "gem-pro",
        "2": "*turbijaną",
        "t": "to turn, twist"
      },
      "expansion": "*turbijaną (“to turn, twist”)",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "ang",
        "2": "ġetyrfian",
        "t": "to assail with missiles; to assault, attack"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English ġetyrfian (“to assail with missiles; to assault, attack”)",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ine-pro",
        "3": "*derbʰ-",
        "t": "to spin, twist"
      },
      "expansion": "Proto-Indo-European *derbʰ- (“to spin, twist”)",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "noun"
      },
      "expansion": "noun",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "verb"
      },
      "expansion": "verb",
      "name": "glossary"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "The origin of the adverb and adjective are uncertain. Topsy is probably derived from top or tops though this does not explain the -sy ending; it has been suggested that the latter comes from so (thus, top so) or from top-set or top-side, modified to match the -y ending of turvy. The term topside-turvy is mentioned in the Anglo-Irish writer Laurence Sterne’s novel, The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (1759–1767).Turvy is probably derived from terve, turve (“to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over”) (obsolete) + -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’), with turve inherited from Middle English terven (“to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall”) […], perhaps from Old English *tierfan (compare Old English tearflian (“to roll over, wallow”)) or from Old English torfian (“to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed”), from Proto-Germanic *turbōną (“to fling, hurl”), *turbijaną (“to turn, twist”) (whence Old English ġetyrfian (“to assail with missiles; to assault, attack”)), from Proto-Indo-European *derbʰ- (“to spin, twist”). Thus, the term as a whole may literally mean “having the top side thrown or turned down”.\nThe noun and verb are probably derived from the adverb and adjective.",
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "more topsy-turvy",
      "tags": [
        "comparative"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "most topsy-turvy",
      "tags": [
        "superlative"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {},
      "expansion": "topsy-turvy (comparative more topsy-turvy, superlative most topsy-turvy)",
      "name": "en-adv"
    }
  ],
  "hyphenation": [
    "top‧sy-turvy"
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "adv",
  "senses": [
    {
      "categories": [
        {
          "_dis": "8 12 19 19 17 7 4 7 6",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English entries with incorrect language header",
          "parents": [
            "Entries with incorrect language header",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        }
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "1742, John Winstanley, “A Child’s Answer to an Invitation; Done by His Father”, in Poems Written Occasionally […], Dublin: […] S. Powell, for the author, →OCLC, pages 31–32",
          "text": "China, and Ganges, and Japan, / Are Words my Papa taught my Pen. He ſays, they're Countries to be found, / In a ſtrange World, below the Ground; / Where Folks with Feet erected treat, / And diſtant, downward hang their Head; / Fearleſs they topſy turvy run, / With naught beneath—but Skies and Sun.",
          "type": "quotation"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "Backwards or upside down; also, having been overturned or upset."
      ],
      "id": "en-topsy-turvy-en-adv-Lr867Mv1",
      "links": [
        [
          "Backwards",
          "backwards"
        ],
        [
          "upside down",
          "upside down"
        ],
        [
          "overturned",
          "overturn#Verb"
        ],
        [
          "upset",
          "upset#Verb"
        ]
      ],
      "synonyms": [
        {
          "word": "inverted"
        },
        {
          "word": "reversed"
        },
        {
          "word": "upside down"
        }
      ],
      "translations": [
        {
          "_dis1": "99 1",
          "code": "bg",
          "lang": "Bulgarian",
          "roman": "s glavata nadolu",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "с главата надолу"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "99 1",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "nurin niskoin"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "99 1",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "nurin perin"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "99 1",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "takaperin"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "99 1",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "ylösalaisin"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "99 1",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "auf den Kopf gestellt"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "99 1",
          "code": "it",
          "lang": "Italian",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "bilo-balo"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "99 1",
          "code": "it",
          "lang": "Italian",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "sotto-sopra"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "99 1",
          "code": "it",
          "lang": "Italian",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "sottosopra"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "99 1",
          "code": "pt",
          "lang": "Portuguese",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "de ponta-cabeça"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "99 1",
          "code": "ru",
          "english": "upside down",
          "lang": "Russian",
          "roman": "vverx dnóm",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "вверх дно́м"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "99 1",
          "code": "sco",
          "english": "upside down",
          "lang": "Scots",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "tags": [
            "also",
            "figuratively"
          ],
          "word": "tapsalteerie"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "99 1",
          "code": "gd",
          "lang": "Scottish Gaelic",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "bun-os-cionn"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "99 1",
          "code": "tr",
          "lang": "Turkish",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "altüst"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        {
          "_dis": "8 12 19 19 17 7 4 7 6",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English entries with incorrect language header",
          "parents": [
            "Entries with incorrect language header",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        }
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "1576, T[homas] R[ogers], “Of Loue”, in A Philosophicall Discourse, Entituled, The Anatomie of the Minde. […], London: […] I[ohn] C[harlewood] for Andrew Maunsell, […], →OCLC, folio 22, recto",
          "text": "Diuilliſh it is to deſtroy a cittie, but more then diuilliſhe, to euert citties, to betraye countreies, to cause ſeruaunts to kyll their maiſters, parentes theyr children, children their parentes, wiues their huſbandes, and to turne all things topſy turuy, and yet it doth ſo, as ſhalbe declared.",
          "type": "quotation"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "Not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner; chaotically."
      ],
      "id": "en-topsy-turvy-en-adv-lL7x8d~6",
      "links": [
        [
          "natural",
          "natural#Adjective"
        ],
        [
          "order",
          "order#Noun"
        ],
        [
          "thing",
          "thing"
        ],
        [
          "disorderly",
          "disorderly"
        ],
        [
          "manner",
          "manner"
        ],
        [
          "chaotically",
          "chaotically"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(figurative) Not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner; chaotically."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "figuratively"
      ],
      "translations": [
        {
          "_dis1": "8 92",
          "code": "bg",
          "lang": "Bulgarian",
          "roman": "v bezporjadǎk",
          "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
          "word": "в безпорядък"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "8 92",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
          "word": "hujan hajan"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "8 92",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
          "word": "mullin mallin"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "8 92",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
          "word": "sekaisin"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "8 92",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
          "word": "sikin sokin"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "8 92",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
          "word": "vinksin vonksin"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "8 92",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
          "word": "heikun keikun"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "8 92",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
          "word": "chaotisch"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "8 92",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
          "word": "unordentlich"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "8 92",
          "code": "ru",
          "lang": "Russian",
          "roman": "kuvyrkóm",
          "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
          "word": "кувырко́м"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "8 92",
          "code": "ru",
          "lang": "Russian",
          "roman": "šívorot-navývorot",
          "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
          "word": "ши́ворот-навы́ворот"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "8 92",
          "code": "es",
          "lang": "Spanish",
          "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
          "word": "caótico"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "8 92",
          "code": "es",
          "lang": "Spanish",
          "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
          "word": "desordenadamente"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "8 92",
          "code": "es",
          "lang": "Spanish",
          "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
          "word": "patas arriba"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/ˌtɒpsɪˈtəːvi/",
      "tags": [
        "Received-Pronunciation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "ipa": "/ˈˌtɑpsiˈtɚvi/",
      "tags": [
        "General-American"
      ]
    },
    {
      "audio": "En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/3/3a/En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg/En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg.mp3",
      "ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg",
      "tags": [
        "General-American"
      ],
      "text": "Audio (GA)"
    },
    {
      "audio": "En-au-topsy turvy.ogg",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/e/e1/En-au-topsy_turvy.ogg/En-au-topsy_turvy.ogg.mp3",
      "ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/En-au-topsy_turvy.ogg",
      "tags": [
        "Australia"
      ],
      "text": "Audio (AU)"
    }
  ],
  "synonyms": [
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0",
      "tags": [
        "obsolete"
      ],
      "word": "topside-turvy"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0",
      "word": "topsyturvy"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "topsy turvy"
    }
  ],
  "wikipedia": [
    "Laurence Sterne",
    "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman"
  ],
  "word": "topsy-turvy"
}

{
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ine-pro",
        "3": "*derbʰ-"
      },
      "expansion": "",
      "name": "root"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "adverb"
      },
      "expansion": "adverb",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "adjective"
      },
      "expansion": "adjective",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "nocap": "1"
      },
      "expansion": "uncertain",
      "name": "uncertain"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "top"
      },
      "expansion": "top",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "tops"
      },
      "expansion": "tops",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "so"
      },
      "expansion": "so",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "topside",
        "3": "top-side"
      },
      "expansion": "top-side",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "terve"
      },
      "expansion": "terve",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "turve",
        "t": "to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over"
      },
      "expansion": "turve (“to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over”)",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "obsolete"
      },
      "expansion": "(obsolete)",
      "name": "qualifier"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "suffix"
      },
      "expansion": "suffix",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "",
        "3": "y",
        "pos2": "suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’"
      },
      "expansion": "+ -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’)",
      "name": "suffix"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "",
        "3": "turve"
      },
      "expansion": "turve",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "enm",
        "3": "terven",
        "t": "to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle English terven (“to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall”)",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "terve, tirue, tirve, tirven, tyrve, tyrwe"
      },
      "expansion": "[…]",
      "name": "nb..."
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ang",
        "3": "*tierfan"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English *tierfan",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "ang",
        "2": "tearflian",
        "t": "to roll over, wallow"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English tearflian (“to roll over, wallow”)",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ang",
        "3": "torfian",
        "t": "to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English torfian (“to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed”)",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "gem-pro",
        "3": "*turbōną",
        "t": "to fling, hurl"
      },
      "expansion": "Proto-Germanic *turbōną (“to fling, hurl”)",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "gem-pro",
        "2": "*turbijaną",
        "t": "to turn, twist"
      },
      "expansion": "*turbijaną (“to turn, twist”)",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "ang",
        "2": "ġetyrfian",
        "t": "to assail with missiles; to assault, attack"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English ġetyrfian (“to assail with missiles; to assault, attack”)",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ine-pro",
        "3": "*derbʰ-",
        "t": "to spin, twist"
      },
      "expansion": "Proto-Indo-European *derbʰ- (“to spin, twist”)",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "noun"
      },
      "expansion": "noun",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "verb"
      },
      "expansion": "verb",
      "name": "glossary"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "The origin of the adverb and adjective are uncertain. Topsy is probably derived from top or tops though this does not explain the -sy ending; it has been suggested that the latter comes from so (thus, top so) or from top-set or top-side, modified to match the -y ending of turvy. The term topside-turvy is mentioned in the Anglo-Irish writer Laurence Sterne’s novel, The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (1759–1767).Turvy is probably derived from terve, turve (“to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over”) (obsolete) + -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’), with turve inherited from Middle English terven (“to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall”) […], perhaps from Old English *tierfan (compare Old English tearflian (“to roll over, wallow”)) or from Old English torfian (“to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed”), from Proto-Germanic *turbōną (“to fling, hurl”), *turbijaną (“to turn, twist”) (whence Old English ġetyrfian (“to assail with missiles; to assault, attack”)), from Proto-Indo-European *derbʰ- (“to spin, twist”). Thus, the term as a whole may literally mean “having the top side thrown or turned down”.\nThe noun and verb are probably derived from the adverb and adjective.",
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "topsy-turvier",
      "tags": [
        "comparative"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "topsy-turviest",
      "tags": [
        "superlative"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "er"
      },
      "expansion": "topsy-turvy (comparative topsy-turvier, superlative topsy-turviest)",
      "name": "en-adj"
    }
  ],
  "hyphenation": [
    "top‧sy-turvy"
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "adj",
  "senses": [
    {
      "glosses": [
        "Backwards or upside down."
      ],
      "id": "en-topsy-turvy-en-adj-FAie6YvJ",
      "links": [
        [
          "Backwards",
          "backwards"
        ],
        [
          "upside down",
          "upside down"
        ]
      ],
      "synonyms": [
        {
          "word": "inverted"
        },
        {
          "word": "reversed"
        }
      ],
      "translations": [
        {
          "_dis1": "98 2",
          "code": "da",
          "lang": "Danish",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "på hovedet"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "98 2",
          "code": "nl",
          "lang": "Dutch",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "achterstevoren"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "98 2",
          "code": "nl",
          "lang": "Dutch",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "ondersteboven"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "98 2",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "nurinkurinen"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "98 2",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "takaperoinen"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "98 2",
          "code": "fr",
          "lang": "French",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "à l’envers"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "98 2",
          "code": "fr",
          "lang": "French",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "sens dessus dessous"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "98 2",
          "code": "gl",
          "lang": "Galician",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "ao revés"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "98 2",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "auf den Kopf gestellt"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "98 2",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "kopfstehend"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "98 2",
          "code": "ht",
          "lang": "Haitian Creole",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "tèt anba"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "98 2",
          "code": "it",
          "lang": "Italian",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "sottosopra"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "98 2",
          "code": "nb",
          "lang": "Norwegian Bokmål",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "omkalfatret"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "98 2",
          "code": "sco",
          "english": "upside down",
          "lang": "Scots",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "tags": [
            "also",
            "figuratively"
          ],
          "word": "tapsalteerie"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "98 2",
          "code": "gd",
          "lang": "Scottish Gaelic",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "turrach-air-tharrach"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "98 2",
          "code": "sk",
          "lang": "Slovak",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "hore nohami"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "98 2",
          "code": "sk",
          "lang": "Slovak",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "naopak"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "98 2",
          "code": "es",
          "lang": "Spanish",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "al revés"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "98 2",
          "code": "ta",
          "lang": "Tamil",
          "roman": "mēlum kīḻum",
          "sense": "backwards or upside down",
          "word": "மேலும் கீழும்"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        {
          "_dis": "8 12 19 19 17 7 4 7 6",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English entries with incorrect language header",
          "parents": [
            "Entries with incorrect language header",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "8 24 18 15 15 7 3 7 5",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English entries with language name categories using raw markup",
          "parents": [
            "Entries with language name categories using raw markup",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "4 25 16 15 19 6 5 5 4",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English reduplications",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "5 31 12 14 14 6 6 7 6",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English terms suffixed with -y",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "8 26 18 14 16 5 2 7 3",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys",
          "parents": [
            "Terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        }
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "1675, William Penn, “The Ground or Reason of Swearing”, in A Treatise of Oaths, Containing Several Weighty Reasons why the People Call’d Quakers Refuse to Swear: […], [London]: [s.n.], →OCLC, page 10",
          "text": "[John] Chrysostom saith, An Oath came in when Evils increased, when men appeared unfaithful, when all things became Topsy Turvy.",
          "type": "quotation"
        },
        {
          "ref": "2020 June 3, Stefanie Foster, “Comment: The Recovery Starts here”, in Rail, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire: Bauer Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 3",
          "text": "It feels like I've stepped through the looking glass and am wandering in a topsy-turvy world where the fixpoints we have lived with for decades have gone. Not just moved … gone.",
          "type": "quotation"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "Chaotic; disorderly."
      ],
      "id": "en-topsy-turvy-en-adj-DPcUfsAK",
      "links": [
        [
          "Chaotic",
          "chaotic"
        ],
        [
          "disorderly",
          "disorderly"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(figurative) Chaotic; disorderly."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "figuratively"
      ],
      "translations": [
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "da",
          "lang": "Danish",
          "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
          "word": "kaotisk"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "nl",
          "lang": "Dutch",
          "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
          "word": "chaotisch"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "nl",
          "lang": "Dutch",
          "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
          "word": "wanordelijk"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
          "word": "sekava"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
          "word": "sotkuinen"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "fr",
          "lang": "French",
          "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
          "word": "sens dessus dessous"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
          "word": "chaotisch"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
          "word": "unordentlich"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "it",
          "lang": "Italian",
          "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
          "word": "sottosopra"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "mi",
          "lang": "Maori",
          "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
          "word": "kaumingomingo"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "mi",
          "lang": "Maori",
          "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
          "word": "kōhangaweka"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "mi",
          "lang": "Maori",
          "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
          "word": "tīraurau"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "gd",
          "lang": "Scottish Gaelic",
          "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
          "word": "rù-rà"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "sk",
          "lang": "Slovak",
          "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
          "word": "domotaný"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "es",
          "lang": "Spanish",
          "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
          "word": "caotico"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "es",
          "lang": "Spanish",
          "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
          "word": "desordenado"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/ˌtɒpsɪˈtəːvi/",
      "tags": [
        "Received-Pronunciation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "ipa": "/ˈˌtɑpsiˈtɚvi/",
      "tags": [
        "General-American"
      ]
    },
    {
      "audio": "En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/3/3a/En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg/En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg.mp3",
      "ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg",
      "tags": [
        "General-American"
      ],
      "text": "Audio (GA)"
    },
    {
      "audio": "En-au-topsy turvy.ogg",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/e/e1/En-au-topsy_turvy.ogg/En-au-topsy_turvy.ogg.mp3",
      "ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/En-au-topsy_turvy.ogg",
      "tags": [
        "Australia"
      ],
      "text": "Audio (AU)"
    }
  ],
  "synonyms": [
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0",
      "word": "topsyturvy"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "topsy turvy"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0",
      "word": "topsy-turvey"
    }
  ],
  "wikipedia": [
    "Laurence Sterne",
    "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman"
  ],
  "word": "topsy-turvy"
}

{
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ine-pro",
        "3": "*derbʰ-"
      },
      "expansion": "",
      "name": "root"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "adverb"
      },
      "expansion": "adverb",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "adjective"
      },
      "expansion": "adjective",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "nocap": "1"
      },
      "expansion": "uncertain",
      "name": "uncertain"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "top"
      },
      "expansion": "top",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "tops"
      },
      "expansion": "tops",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "so"
      },
      "expansion": "so",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "topside",
        "3": "top-side"
      },
      "expansion": "top-side",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "terve"
      },
      "expansion": "terve",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "turve",
        "t": "to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over"
      },
      "expansion": "turve (“to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over”)",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "obsolete"
      },
      "expansion": "(obsolete)",
      "name": "qualifier"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "suffix"
      },
      "expansion": "suffix",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "",
        "3": "y",
        "pos2": "suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’"
      },
      "expansion": "+ -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’)",
      "name": "suffix"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "",
        "3": "turve"
      },
      "expansion": "turve",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "enm",
        "3": "terven",
        "t": "to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle English terven (“to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall”)",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "terve, tirue, tirve, tirven, tyrve, tyrwe"
      },
      "expansion": "[…]",
      "name": "nb..."
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ang",
        "3": "*tierfan"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English *tierfan",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "ang",
        "2": "tearflian",
        "t": "to roll over, wallow"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English tearflian (“to roll over, wallow”)",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ang",
        "3": "torfian",
        "t": "to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English torfian (“to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed”)",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "gem-pro",
        "3": "*turbōną",
        "t": "to fling, hurl"
      },
      "expansion": "Proto-Germanic *turbōną (“to fling, hurl”)",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "gem-pro",
        "2": "*turbijaną",
        "t": "to turn, twist"
      },
      "expansion": "*turbijaną (“to turn, twist”)",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "ang",
        "2": "ġetyrfian",
        "t": "to assail with missiles; to assault, attack"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English ġetyrfian (“to assail with missiles; to assault, attack”)",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ine-pro",
        "3": "*derbʰ-",
        "t": "to spin, twist"
      },
      "expansion": "Proto-Indo-European *derbʰ- (“to spin, twist”)",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "noun"
      },
      "expansion": "noun",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "verb"
      },
      "expansion": "verb",
      "name": "glossary"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "The origin of the adverb and adjective are uncertain. Topsy is probably derived from top or tops though this does not explain the -sy ending; it has been suggested that the latter comes from so (thus, top so) or from top-set or top-side, modified to match the -y ending of turvy. The term topside-turvy is mentioned in the Anglo-Irish writer Laurence Sterne’s novel, The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (1759–1767).Turvy is probably derived from terve, turve (“to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over”) (obsolete) + -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’), with turve inherited from Middle English terven (“to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall”) […], perhaps from Old English *tierfan (compare Old English tearflian (“to roll over, wallow”)) or from Old English torfian (“to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed”), from Proto-Germanic *turbōną (“to fling, hurl”), *turbijaną (“to turn, twist”) (whence Old English ġetyrfian (“to assail with missiles; to assault, attack”)), from Proto-Indo-European *derbʰ- (“to spin, twist”). Thus, the term as a whole may literally mean “having the top side thrown or turned down”.\nThe noun and verb are probably derived from the adverb and adjective.",
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "topsy-turvies",
      "tags": [
        "plural"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "~"
      },
      "expansion": "topsy-turvy (countable and uncountable, plural topsy-turvies)",
      "name": "en-noun"
    }
  ],
  "hyphenation": [
    "top‧sy-turvy"
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "noun",
  "senses": [
    {
      "categories": [
        {
          "_dis": "8 12 19 19 17 7 4 7 6",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English entries with incorrect language header",
          "parents": [
            "Entries with incorrect language header",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        }
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "1850, [Warren Burton], “Augustus Starr, the Privateer who Turned Pedagogue—His New Crew Mutiny, and Perform a Singular Exploit”, in The District School as It Was. […], revised edition, Boston, Mass.: Phillips, Sampson and Company, […], →OCLC, page 159",
          "text": "Perhaps he was at a loss for the points of compass, as is often the case in tumbles and topsy-turvies.",
          "type": "quotation"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "An act of turning something backwards or upside down, or the situation that something is in after this has happened."
      ],
      "id": "en-topsy-turvy-en-noun-UG8sPkU5",
      "links": [
        [
          "act",
          "act#Noun"
        ],
        [
          "turning",
          "turn#Verb"
        ],
        [
          "backwards",
          "backwards"
        ],
        [
          "upside down",
          "upside down"
        ],
        [
          "situation",
          "situation"
        ],
        [
          "happen",
          "happen"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(countable) An act of turning something backwards or upside down, or the situation that something is in after this has happened."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "countable"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "1849, C[alvin] H[enderson] Wiley, “Boyish Conversation”, in Roanoke; or, “Where is Utopia?” […], Philadelphia, Pa.: T. B. Peterson & Brothers, […], published 1866, →OCLC, pages 110–111",
          "text": "[I ...] has seed a heap of scatterments and topsyturvies: here's hoping dat you all may swim smoofly along the briny waves of sacrificin' time, and ford the Jordan of destructive equinoxes, while fiery billows roll beneath!",
          "type": "quotation"
        },
        {
          "ref": "2006, Sue Robson, “Language, Communication and Thought”, in Developing Thinking and Understanding in Young Children: An Introduction for Students, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, New York, N.Y.: Routledge, page 114",
          "text": "The best-known examples of children’s nonsense language play, and their ‘topsy turvies’, or inversion of reality, are in Chukovsky, who asserts that such topsy turvies ‘strengthen (not weaken) the child’s awareness of reality’ [...].",
          "type": "quotation"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "A situation where the natural order of things has been upset."
      ],
      "id": "en-topsy-turvy-en-noun-Tw78XgkM",
      "links": [
        [
          "natural",
          "natural#Adjective"
        ],
        [
          "order",
          "order#Noun"
        ],
        [
          "thing",
          "thing"
        ],
        [
          "upset",
          "upset#Verb"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(countable, figurative) A situation where the natural order of things has been upset."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "countable",
        "figuratively"
      ],
      "translations": [
        {
          "_dis1": "9 90 1",
          "code": "bg",
          "lang": "Bulgarian",
          "roman": "bezporjadǎk",
          "sense": "situation where the natural order of things has been upset",
          "tags": [
            "masculine"
          ],
          "word": "безпорядък"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [],
      "glosses": [
        "Chaos, confusion, disorder."
      ],
      "id": "en-topsy-turvy-en-noun-Y~8f~Zu2",
      "links": [
        [
          "Chaos",
          "chaos"
        ],
        [
          "confusion",
          "confusion"
        ],
        [
          "disorder",
          "disorder#Noun"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(uncountable, figurative) Chaos, confusion, disorder."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "figuratively",
        "uncountable"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/ˌtɒpsɪˈtəːvi/",
      "tags": [
        "Received-Pronunciation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "ipa": "/ˈˌtɑpsiˈtɚvi/",
      "tags": [
        "General-American"
      ]
    },
    {
      "audio": "En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/3/3a/En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg/En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg.mp3",
      "ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg",
      "tags": [
        "General-American"
      ],
      "text": "Audio (GA)"
    },
    {
      "audio": "En-au-topsy turvy.ogg",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/e/e1/En-au-topsy_turvy.ogg/En-au-topsy_turvy.ogg.mp3",
      "ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/En-au-topsy_turvy.ogg",
      "tags": [
        "Australia"
      ],
      "text": "Audio (AU)"
    }
  ],
  "wikipedia": [
    "Laurence Sterne",
    "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman"
  ],
  "word": "topsy-turvy"
}

{
  "derived": [
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0",
      "tags": [
        "adjective"
      ],
      "word": "topsy-turvied"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0",
      "tags": [
        "adjective",
        "noun"
      ],
      "word": "topsy-turvying"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ine-pro",
        "3": "*derbʰ-"
      },
      "expansion": "",
      "name": "root"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "adverb"
      },
      "expansion": "adverb",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "adjective"
      },
      "expansion": "adjective",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "nocap": "1"
      },
      "expansion": "uncertain",
      "name": "uncertain"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "top"
      },
      "expansion": "top",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "tops"
      },
      "expansion": "tops",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "so"
      },
      "expansion": "so",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "topside",
        "3": "top-side"
      },
      "expansion": "top-side",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "terve"
      },
      "expansion": "terve",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "turve",
        "t": "to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over"
      },
      "expansion": "turve (“to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over”)",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "obsolete"
      },
      "expansion": "(obsolete)",
      "name": "qualifier"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "suffix"
      },
      "expansion": "suffix",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "",
        "3": "y",
        "pos2": "suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’"
      },
      "expansion": "+ -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’)",
      "name": "suffix"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "",
        "3": "turve"
      },
      "expansion": "turve",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "enm",
        "3": "terven",
        "t": "to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle English terven (“to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall”)",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "terve, tirue, tirve, tirven, tyrve, tyrwe"
      },
      "expansion": "[…]",
      "name": "nb..."
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ang",
        "3": "*tierfan"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English *tierfan",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "ang",
        "2": "tearflian",
        "t": "to roll over, wallow"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English tearflian (“to roll over, wallow”)",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ang",
        "3": "torfian",
        "t": "to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English torfian (“to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed”)",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "gem-pro",
        "3": "*turbōną",
        "t": "to fling, hurl"
      },
      "expansion": "Proto-Germanic *turbōną (“to fling, hurl”)",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "gem-pro",
        "2": "*turbijaną",
        "t": "to turn, twist"
      },
      "expansion": "*turbijaną (“to turn, twist”)",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "ang",
        "2": "ġetyrfian",
        "t": "to assail with missiles; to assault, attack"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English ġetyrfian (“to assail with missiles; to assault, attack”)",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ine-pro",
        "3": "*derbʰ-",
        "t": "to spin, twist"
      },
      "expansion": "Proto-Indo-European *derbʰ- (“to spin, twist”)",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "noun"
      },
      "expansion": "noun",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "verb"
      },
      "expansion": "verb",
      "name": "glossary"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "The origin of the adverb and adjective are uncertain. Topsy is probably derived from top or tops though this does not explain the -sy ending; it has been suggested that the latter comes from so (thus, top so) or from top-set or top-side, modified to match the -y ending of turvy. The term topside-turvy is mentioned in the Anglo-Irish writer Laurence Sterne’s novel, The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (1759–1767).Turvy is probably derived from terve, turve (“to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over”) (obsolete) + -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’), with turve inherited from Middle English terven (“to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall”) […], perhaps from Old English *tierfan (compare Old English tearflian (“to roll over, wallow”)) or from Old English torfian (“to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed”), from Proto-Germanic *turbōną (“to fling, hurl”), *turbijaną (“to turn, twist”) (whence Old English ġetyrfian (“to assail with missiles; to assault, attack”)), from Proto-Indo-European *derbʰ- (“to spin, twist”). Thus, the term as a whole may literally mean “having the top side thrown or turned down”.\nThe noun and verb are probably derived from the adverb and adjective.",
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "topsy-turvies",
      "tags": [
        "present",
        "singular",
        "third-person"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "topsy-turvys",
      "tags": [
        "present",
        "singular",
        "third-person"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "topsy-turvying",
      "tags": [
        "participle",
        "present"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "topsy-turvied",
      "tags": [
        "participle",
        "past"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "topsy-turvied",
      "tags": [
        "past"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "topsy-turvyed",
      "tags": [
        "participle",
        "past"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "topsy-turvyed",
      "tags": [
        "past"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "past2": "topsy-turvyed",
        "pres_3sg2": "topsy-turvys"
      },
      "expansion": "topsy-turvy (third-person singular simple present topsy-turvies or topsy-turvys, present participle topsy-turvying, simple past and past participle topsy-turvied or topsy-turvyed)",
      "name": "en-verb"
    }
  ],
  "hyphenation": [
    "top‧sy-turvy"
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "verb",
  "senses": [
    {
      "categories": [],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "1859 July, “Art. IX.—1. Adam Bede. By George Eliot. 3 vols. 1859. 2. Scenes of Clerical Life. By George Eliot. 2 vols. 1858. [book review]”, in The Edinburgh Review, or Critical Journal, volume CX, number CCXXIII, London: Longman, Green, Longman, and Roberts; Edinburgh: Adam and Charles Black, →OCLC, page 241",
          "text": "Mr. [George] Eliot's descriptions of scenery are perfect: [...] and so are his descriptions of children. [...] We forbear (though with regret) the introduction to our readers of Totty's bald doll, ignominously ‘topsy turvied’ by her insulting brother.",
          "type": "quotation"
        },
        {
          "ref": "2017, Jai Krishna, “High-resolution Intrabasinal to Inter-regional Geodynamic Chronicle during the Span of the Intra-Permian–Intra-Paleogene Mega-sequence in and around India on the GTM”, in The Indian Mesozoic Chronicle: Sequence Stratigraphic Approach (Springer Geology), Singapore: Springer Nature, →DOI, →ISSN, page 586",
          "text": "The already lithified/hardened late Early/early Middle Oxfordian chunks/slabs of the oolitic limestones fragmented and rotated, even topsy-turvied upside down in the repetitive violent/explosive shake ups.",
          "type": "quotation"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "To turn topsy-turvy or upside down; to invert."
      ],
      "id": "en-topsy-turvy-en-verb-X1W0EshV",
      "links": [
        [
          "turn",
          "turn#Verb"
        ],
        [
          "topsy-turvy",
          "topsy-turvy#Adjective"
        ],
        [
          "upside down",
          "upside down"
        ],
        [
          "invert",
          "invert#Verb"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(transitive) To turn topsy-turvy or upside down; to invert."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "transitive"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "[1854], G[eorge] E[liel] Sargent, “How the Legacy Went. In Two Chapters.”, in Moralities for Home, London: Groombridge and Sons. […], →OCLC, chapter II (How It Departed), page 148",
          "text": "[...] Mrs. Sykes said, ‘her man was the wust she ever knowed when he got topsy-turveyed.’ And as now, he began to get topsy-turveyed pretty regularly before he had finished his daily business with the retiring host of the Holly Bush, there was not much peace at home.",
          "type": "quotation"
        },
        {
          "ref": "1858 July–December, J. A., “Prose versus Verse”, in The New Monthly Belle Assemblée; a Magazine of Literature and Fashion, […], volume XLIX, London: Rogerson and Tuxford, […], →OCLC, page 188, column 1",
          "text": "Has not a diluent expletive been interjected to fill up a line? has not a plain proposition been topsy-turvied, till subject and object are miserably confused, because of accent?",
          "type": "quotation"
        },
        {
          "ref": "1892, M[aurice] O’Connor Morris, “Introduction”, in Memini: Or Reminiscences of Irish Life, London: Harrison & Sons, […], →OCLC, page ix",
          "text": "[M]y literary life was rather topsy-turveyed by a couple of untoward accidents last year, and a prostrating attack of influenza, and bronchitis subsequently, for the cure of which I am indebted to the climate of Portugal, [...]",
          "type": "quotation"
        },
        {
          "ref": "2007, “Portrayal of Diaspora Experiences”, in Basavaraj Naikar, editor, Indian English Literature, volume II, New Delhi: Atlantic Publishers & Distributors, page 195",
          "text": "Being from a lower caste, she earns her meager livelihood by cleaning the stairs and guarding the locality (the conventional roles are topsy turvyed).",
          "type": "quotation"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "To throw into chaos or disorder; to upset."
      ],
      "id": "en-topsy-turvy-en-verb-Mqbie2mo",
      "links": [
        [
          "throw",
          "throw#Verb"
        ],
        [
          "chaos",
          "chaos"
        ],
        [
          "disorder",
          "disorder#Noun"
        ],
        [
          "upset",
          "upset#Verb"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(transitive, figurative) To throw into chaos or disorder; to upset."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "figuratively",
        "transitive"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/ˌtɒpsɪˈtəːvi/",
      "tags": [
        "Received-Pronunciation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "ipa": "/ˈˌtɑpsiˈtɚvi/",
      "tags": [
        "General-American"
      ]
    },
    {
      "audio": "En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/3/3a/En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg/En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg.mp3",
      "ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg",
      "tags": [
        "General-American"
      ],
      "text": "Audio (GA)"
    },
    {
      "audio": "En-au-topsy turvy.ogg",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/e/e1/En-au-topsy_turvy.ogg/En-au-topsy_turvy.ogg.mp3",
      "ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/En-au-topsy_turvy.ogg",
      "tags": [
        "Australia"
      ],
      "text": "Audio (AU)"
    }
  ],
  "synonyms": [
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "topsy turvy"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0",
      "word": "topsy-turvey"
    }
  ],
  "wikipedia": [
    "Laurence Sterne",
    "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman"
  ],
  "word": "topsy-turvy"
}

{
  "categories": [
    "English 4-syllable words",
    "English adjectives",
    "English adverbs",
    "English countable nouns",
    "English entries with incorrect language header",
    "English entries with language name categories using raw markup",
    "English lemmas",
    "English multiword terms",
    "English nouns",
    "English reduplications",
    "English terms derived from Middle English",
    "English terms derived from Old English",
    "English terms derived from Proto-Germanic",
    "English terms derived from Proto-Indo-European",
    "English terms derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *derbʰ-",
    "English terms inherited from Middle English",
    "English terms inherited from Old English",
    "English terms inherited from Proto-Germanic",
    "English terms suffixed with -y",
    "English terms with IPA pronunciation",
    "English terms with audio links",
    "English terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys",
    "English terms with unknown etymologies",
    "English uncountable nouns",
    "English verbs"
  ],
  "derived": [
    {
      "word": "topsy-turvification"
    },
    {
      "word": "topsy-turvify"
    },
    {
      "word": "topsy-turvily"
    },
    {
      "word": "topsy-turviness"
    },
    {
      "word": "topsy-turvyness"
    },
    {
      "word": "topsy-turvydom"
    },
    {
      "word": "topsy-turvyhood"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ine-pro",
        "3": "*derbʰ-"
      },
      "expansion": "",
      "name": "root"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "adverb"
      },
      "expansion": "adverb",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "adjective"
      },
      "expansion": "adjective",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "nocap": "1"
      },
      "expansion": "uncertain",
      "name": "uncertain"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "top"
      },
      "expansion": "top",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "tops"
      },
      "expansion": "tops",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "so"
      },
      "expansion": "so",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "topside",
        "3": "top-side"
      },
      "expansion": "top-side",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "terve"
      },
      "expansion": "terve",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "turve",
        "t": "to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over"
      },
      "expansion": "turve (“to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over”)",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "obsolete"
      },
      "expansion": "(obsolete)",
      "name": "qualifier"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "suffix"
      },
      "expansion": "suffix",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "",
        "3": "y",
        "pos2": "suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’"
      },
      "expansion": "+ -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’)",
      "name": "suffix"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "",
        "3": "turve"
      },
      "expansion": "turve",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "enm",
        "3": "terven",
        "t": "to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle English terven (“to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall”)",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "terve, tirue, tirve, tirven, tyrve, tyrwe"
      },
      "expansion": "[…]",
      "name": "nb..."
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ang",
        "3": "*tierfan"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English *tierfan",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "ang",
        "2": "tearflian",
        "t": "to roll over, wallow"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English tearflian (“to roll over, wallow”)",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ang",
        "3": "torfian",
        "t": "to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English torfian (“to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed”)",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "gem-pro",
        "3": "*turbōną",
        "t": "to fling, hurl"
      },
      "expansion": "Proto-Germanic *turbōną (“to fling, hurl”)",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "gem-pro",
        "2": "*turbijaną",
        "t": "to turn, twist"
      },
      "expansion": "*turbijaną (“to turn, twist”)",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "ang",
        "2": "ġetyrfian",
        "t": "to assail with missiles; to assault, attack"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English ġetyrfian (“to assail with missiles; to assault, attack”)",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ine-pro",
        "3": "*derbʰ-",
        "t": "to spin, twist"
      },
      "expansion": "Proto-Indo-European *derbʰ- (“to spin, twist”)",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "noun"
      },
      "expansion": "noun",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "verb"
      },
      "expansion": "verb",
      "name": "glossary"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "The origin of the adverb and adjective are uncertain. Topsy is probably derived from top or tops though this does not explain the -sy ending; it has been suggested that the latter comes from so (thus, top so) or from top-set or top-side, modified to match the -y ending of turvy. The term topside-turvy is mentioned in the Anglo-Irish writer Laurence Sterne’s novel, The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (1759–1767).Turvy is probably derived from terve, turve (“to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over”) (obsolete) + -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’), with turve inherited from Middle English terven (“to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall”) […], perhaps from Old English *tierfan (compare Old English tearflian (“to roll over, wallow”)) or from Old English torfian (“to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed”), from Proto-Germanic *turbōną (“to fling, hurl”), *turbijaną (“to turn, twist”) (whence Old English ġetyrfian (“to assail with missiles; to assault, attack”)), from Proto-Indo-European *derbʰ- (“to spin, twist”). Thus, the term as a whole may literally mean “having the top side thrown or turned down”.\nThe noun and verb are probably derived from the adverb and adjective.",
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "more topsy-turvy",
      "tags": [
        "comparative"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "most topsy-turvy",
      "tags": [
        "superlative"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {},
      "expansion": "topsy-turvy (comparative more topsy-turvy, superlative most topsy-turvy)",
      "name": "en-adv"
    }
  ],
  "hyphenation": [
    "top‧sy-turvy"
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "adv",
  "senses": [
    {
      "categories": [
        "English terms with quotations"
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "1742, John Winstanley, “A Child’s Answer to an Invitation; Done by His Father”, in Poems Written Occasionally […], Dublin: […] S. Powell, for the author, →OCLC, pages 31–32",
          "text": "China, and Ganges, and Japan, / Are Words my Papa taught my Pen. He ſays, they're Countries to be found, / In a ſtrange World, below the Ground; / Where Folks with Feet erected treat, / And diſtant, downward hang their Head; / Fearleſs they topſy turvy run, / With naught beneath—but Skies and Sun.",
          "type": "quotation"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "Backwards or upside down; also, having been overturned or upset."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "Backwards",
          "backwards"
        ],
        [
          "upside down",
          "upside down"
        ],
        [
          "overturned",
          "overturn#Verb"
        ],
        [
          "upset",
          "upset#Verb"
        ]
      ],
      "synonyms": [
        {
          "word": "inverted"
        },
        {
          "word": "reversed"
        },
        {
          "word": "upside down"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        "English terms with quotations"
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "1576, T[homas] R[ogers], “Of Loue”, in A Philosophicall Discourse, Entituled, The Anatomie of the Minde. […], London: […] I[ohn] C[harlewood] for Andrew Maunsell, […], →OCLC, folio 22, recto",
          "text": "Diuilliſh it is to deſtroy a cittie, but more then diuilliſhe, to euert citties, to betraye countreies, to cause ſeruaunts to kyll their maiſters, parentes theyr children, children their parentes, wiues their huſbandes, and to turne all things topſy turuy, and yet it doth ſo, as ſhalbe declared.",
          "type": "quotation"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "Not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner; chaotically."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "natural",
          "natural#Adjective"
        ],
        [
          "order",
          "order#Noun"
        ],
        [
          "thing",
          "thing"
        ],
        [
          "disorderly",
          "disorderly"
        ],
        [
          "manner",
          "manner"
        ],
        [
          "chaotically",
          "chaotically"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(figurative) Not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner; chaotically."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "figuratively"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/ˌtɒpsɪˈtəːvi/",
      "tags": [
        "Received-Pronunciation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "ipa": "/ˈˌtɑpsiˈtɚvi/",
      "tags": [
        "General-American"
      ]
    },
    {
      "audio": "En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/3/3a/En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg/En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg.mp3",
      "ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg",
      "tags": [
        "General-American"
      ],
      "text": "Audio (GA)"
    },
    {
      "audio": "En-au-topsy turvy.ogg",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/e/e1/En-au-topsy_turvy.ogg/En-au-topsy_turvy.ogg.mp3",
      "ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/En-au-topsy_turvy.ogg",
      "tags": [
        "Australia"
      ],
      "text": "Audio (AU)"
    }
  ],
  "synonyms": [
    {
      "tags": [
        "obsolete"
      ],
      "word": "topside-turvy"
    },
    {
      "word": "topsyturvy"
    },
    {
      "word": "topsy turvy"
    }
  ],
  "translations": [
    {
      "code": "bg",
      "lang": "Bulgarian",
      "roman": "s glavata nadolu",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "с главата надолу"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "nurin niskoin"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "nurin perin"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "takaperin"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "ylösalaisin"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "auf den Kopf gestellt"
    },
    {
      "code": "it",
      "lang": "Italian",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "bilo-balo"
    },
    {
      "code": "it",
      "lang": "Italian",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "sotto-sopra"
    },
    {
      "code": "it",
      "lang": "Italian",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "sottosopra"
    },
    {
      "code": "pt",
      "lang": "Portuguese",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "de ponta-cabeça"
    },
    {
      "code": "ru",
      "english": "upside down",
      "lang": "Russian",
      "roman": "vverx dnóm",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "вверх дно́м"
    },
    {
      "code": "sco",
      "english": "upside down",
      "lang": "Scots",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "tags": [
        "also",
        "figuratively"
      ],
      "word": "tapsalteerie"
    },
    {
      "code": "gd",
      "lang": "Scottish Gaelic",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "bun-os-cionn"
    },
    {
      "code": "tr",
      "lang": "Turkish",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "altüst"
    },
    {
      "code": "bg",
      "lang": "Bulgarian",
      "roman": "v bezporjadǎk",
      "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
      "word": "в безпорядък"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
      "word": "hujan hajan"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
      "word": "mullin mallin"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
      "word": "sekaisin"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
      "word": "sikin sokin"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
      "word": "vinksin vonksin"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
      "word": "heikun keikun"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
      "word": "chaotisch"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
      "word": "unordentlich"
    },
    {
      "code": "ru",
      "lang": "Russian",
      "roman": "kuvyrkóm",
      "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
      "word": "кувырко́м"
    },
    {
      "code": "ru",
      "lang": "Russian",
      "roman": "šívorot-navývorot",
      "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
      "word": "ши́ворот-навы́ворот"
    },
    {
      "code": "es",
      "lang": "Spanish",
      "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
      "word": "caótico"
    },
    {
      "code": "es",
      "lang": "Spanish",
      "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
      "word": "desordenadamente"
    },
    {
      "code": "es",
      "lang": "Spanish",
      "sense": "not in the natural order of things; in a disorderly manner — see also chaotically",
      "word": "patas arriba"
    }
  ],
  "wikipedia": [
    "Laurence Sterne",
    "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman"
  ],
  "word": "topsy-turvy"
}

{
  "categories": [
    "English 4-syllable words",
    "English adjectives",
    "English adverbs",
    "English countable nouns",
    "English entries with incorrect language header",
    "English entries with language name categories using raw markup",
    "English lemmas",
    "English multiword terms",
    "English nouns",
    "English reduplications",
    "English terms derived from Middle English",
    "English terms derived from Old English",
    "English terms derived from Proto-Germanic",
    "English terms derived from Proto-Indo-European",
    "English terms derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *derbʰ-",
    "English terms inherited from Middle English",
    "English terms inherited from Old English",
    "English terms inherited from Proto-Germanic",
    "English terms suffixed with -y",
    "English terms with IPA pronunciation",
    "English terms with audio links",
    "English terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys",
    "English terms with unknown etymologies",
    "English uncountable nouns",
    "English verbs"
  ],
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ine-pro",
        "3": "*derbʰ-"
      },
      "expansion": "",
      "name": "root"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "adverb"
      },
      "expansion": "adverb",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "adjective"
      },
      "expansion": "adjective",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "nocap": "1"
      },
      "expansion": "uncertain",
      "name": "uncertain"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "top"
      },
      "expansion": "top",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "tops"
      },
      "expansion": "tops",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "so"
      },
      "expansion": "so",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "topside",
        "3": "top-side"
      },
      "expansion": "top-side",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "terve"
      },
      "expansion": "terve",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "turve",
        "t": "to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over"
      },
      "expansion": "turve (“to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over”)",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "obsolete"
      },
      "expansion": "(obsolete)",
      "name": "qualifier"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "suffix"
      },
      "expansion": "suffix",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "",
        "3": "y",
        "pos2": "suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’"
      },
      "expansion": "+ -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’)",
      "name": "suffix"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "",
        "3": "turve"
      },
      "expansion": "turve",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "enm",
        "3": "terven",
        "t": "to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle English terven (“to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall”)",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "terve, tirue, tirve, tirven, tyrve, tyrwe"
      },
      "expansion": "[…]",
      "name": "nb..."
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ang",
        "3": "*tierfan"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English *tierfan",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "ang",
        "2": "tearflian",
        "t": "to roll over, wallow"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English tearflian (“to roll over, wallow”)",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ang",
        "3": "torfian",
        "t": "to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English torfian (“to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed”)",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "gem-pro",
        "3": "*turbōną",
        "t": "to fling, hurl"
      },
      "expansion": "Proto-Germanic *turbōną (“to fling, hurl”)",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "gem-pro",
        "2": "*turbijaną",
        "t": "to turn, twist"
      },
      "expansion": "*turbijaną (“to turn, twist”)",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "ang",
        "2": "ġetyrfian",
        "t": "to assail with missiles; to assault, attack"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English ġetyrfian (“to assail with missiles; to assault, attack”)",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ine-pro",
        "3": "*derbʰ-",
        "t": "to spin, twist"
      },
      "expansion": "Proto-Indo-European *derbʰ- (“to spin, twist”)",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "noun"
      },
      "expansion": "noun",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "verb"
      },
      "expansion": "verb",
      "name": "glossary"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "The origin of the adverb and adjective are uncertain. Topsy is probably derived from top or tops though this does not explain the -sy ending; it has been suggested that the latter comes from so (thus, top so) or from top-set or top-side, modified to match the -y ending of turvy. The term topside-turvy is mentioned in the Anglo-Irish writer Laurence Sterne’s novel, The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (1759–1767).Turvy is probably derived from terve, turve (“to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over”) (obsolete) + -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’), with turve inherited from Middle English terven (“to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall”) […], perhaps from Old English *tierfan (compare Old English tearflian (“to roll over, wallow”)) or from Old English torfian (“to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed”), from Proto-Germanic *turbōną (“to fling, hurl”), *turbijaną (“to turn, twist”) (whence Old English ġetyrfian (“to assail with missiles; to assault, attack”)), from Proto-Indo-European *derbʰ- (“to spin, twist”). Thus, the term as a whole may literally mean “having the top side thrown or turned down”.\nThe noun and verb are probably derived from the adverb and adjective.",
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "topsy-turvier",
      "tags": [
        "comparative"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "topsy-turviest",
      "tags": [
        "superlative"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "er"
      },
      "expansion": "topsy-turvy (comparative topsy-turvier, superlative topsy-turviest)",
      "name": "en-adj"
    }
  ],
  "hyphenation": [
    "top‧sy-turvy"
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "adj",
  "senses": [
    {
      "glosses": [
        "Backwards or upside down."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "Backwards",
          "backwards"
        ],
        [
          "upside down",
          "upside down"
        ]
      ],
      "synonyms": [
        {
          "word": "inverted"
        },
        {
          "word": "reversed"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        "English terms with quotations"
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "1675, William Penn, “The Ground or Reason of Swearing”, in A Treatise of Oaths, Containing Several Weighty Reasons why the People Call’d Quakers Refuse to Swear: […], [London]: [s.n.], →OCLC, page 10",
          "text": "[John] Chrysostom saith, An Oath came in when Evils increased, when men appeared unfaithful, when all things became Topsy Turvy.",
          "type": "quotation"
        },
        {
          "ref": "2020 June 3, Stefanie Foster, “Comment: The Recovery Starts here”, in Rail, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire: Bauer Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 3",
          "text": "It feels like I've stepped through the looking glass and am wandering in a topsy-turvy world where the fixpoints we have lived with for decades have gone. Not just moved … gone.",
          "type": "quotation"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "Chaotic; disorderly."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "Chaotic",
          "chaotic"
        ],
        [
          "disorderly",
          "disorderly"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(figurative) Chaotic; disorderly."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "figuratively"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/ˌtɒpsɪˈtəːvi/",
      "tags": [
        "Received-Pronunciation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "ipa": "/ˈˌtɑpsiˈtɚvi/",
      "tags": [
        "General-American"
      ]
    },
    {
      "audio": "En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/3/3a/En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg/En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg.mp3",
      "ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg",
      "tags": [
        "General-American"
      ],
      "text": "Audio (GA)"
    },
    {
      "audio": "En-au-topsy turvy.ogg",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/e/e1/En-au-topsy_turvy.ogg/En-au-topsy_turvy.ogg.mp3",
      "ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/En-au-topsy_turvy.ogg",
      "tags": [
        "Australia"
      ],
      "text": "Audio (AU)"
    }
  ],
  "synonyms": [
    {
      "word": "topsy-turvey"
    },
    {
      "word": "topsyturvy"
    },
    {
      "word": "topsy turvy"
    }
  ],
  "translations": [
    {
      "code": "da",
      "lang": "Danish",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "på hovedet"
    },
    {
      "code": "nl",
      "lang": "Dutch",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "achterstevoren"
    },
    {
      "code": "nl",
      "lang": "Dutch",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "ondersteboven"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "nurinkurinen"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "takaperoinen"
    },
    {
      "code": "fr",
      "lang": "French",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "à l’envers"
    },
    {
      "code": "fr",
      "lang": "French",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "sens dessus dessous"
    },
    {
      "code": "gl",
      "lang": "Galician",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "ao revés"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "auf den Kopf gestellt"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "kopfstehend"
    },
    {
      "code": "ht",
      "lang": "Haitian Creole",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "tèt anba"
    },
    {
      "code": "it",
      "lang": "Italian",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "sottosopra"
    },
    {
      "code": "nb",
      "lang": "Norwegian Bokmål",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "omkalfatret"
    },
    {
      "code": "sco",
      "english": "upside down",
      "lang": "Scots",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "tags": [
        "also",
        "figuratively"
      ],
      "word": "tapsalteerie"
    },
    {
      "code": "gd",
      "lang": "Scottish Gaelic",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "turrach-air-tharrach"
    },
    {
      "code": "sk",
      "lang": "Slovak",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "hore nohami"
    },
    {
      "code": "sk",
      "lang": "Slovak",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "naopak"
    },
    {
      "code": "es",
      "lang": "Spanish",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "al revés"
    },
    {
      "code": "ta",
      "lang": "Tamil",
      "roman": "mēlum kīḻum",
      "sense": "backwards or upside down",
      "word": "மேலும் கீழும்"
    },
    {
      "code": "da",
      "lang": "Danish",
      "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
      "word": "kaotisk"
    },
    {
      "code": "nl",
      "lang": "Dutch",
      "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
      "word": "chaotisch"
    },
    {
      "code": "nl",
      "lang": "Dutch",
      "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
      "word": "wanordelijk"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
      "word": "sekava"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
      "word": "sotkuinen"
    },
    {
      "code": "fr",
      "lang": "French",
      "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
      "word": "sens dessus dessous"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
      "word": "chaotisch"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
      "word": "unordentlich"
    },
    {
      "code": "it",
      "lang": "Italian",
      "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
      "word": "sottosopra"
    },
    {
      "code": "mi",
      "lang": "Maori",
      "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
      "word": "kaumingomingo"
    },
    {
      "code": "mi",
      "lang": "Maori",
      "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
      "word": "kōhangaweka"
    },
    {
      "code": "mi",
      "lang": "Maori",
      "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
      "word": "tīraurau"
    },
    {
      "code": "gd",
      "lang": "Scottish Gaelic",
      "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
      "word": "rù-rà"
    },
    {
      "code": "sk",
      "lang": "Slovak",
      "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
      "word": "domotaný"
    },
    {
      "code": "es",
      "lang": "Spanish",
      "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
      "word": "caotico"
    },
    {
      "code": "es",
      "lang": "Spanish",
      "sense": "chaotic, disorderly — see also chaotic, disorderly",
      "word": "desordenado"
    }
  ],
  "wikipedia": [
    "Laurence Sterne",
    "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman"
  ],
  "word": "topsy-turvy"
}

{
  "categories": [
    "English 4-syllable words",
    "English adjectives",
    "English adverbs",
    "English countable nouns",
    "English entries with incorrect language header",
    "English entries with language name categories using raw markup",
    "English lemmas",
    "English multiword terms",
    "English nouns",
    "English reduplications",
    "English terms derived from Middle English",
    "English terms derived from Old English",
    "English terms derived from Proto-Germanic",
    "English terms derived from Proto-Indo-European",
    "English terms derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *derbʰ-",
    "English terms inherited from Middle English",
    "English terms inherited from Old English",
    "English terms inherited from Proto-Germanic",
    "English terms suffixed with -y",
    "English terms with IPA pronunciation",
    "English terms with audio links",
    "English terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys",
    "English terms with unknown etymologies",
    "English uncountable nouns",
    "English verbs"
  ],
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ine-pro",
        "3": "*derbʰ-"
      },
      "expansion": "",
      "name": "root"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "adverb"
      },
      "expansion": "adverb",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "adjective"
      },
      "expansion": "adjective",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "nocap": "1"
      },
      "expansion": "uncertain",
      "name": "uncertain"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "top"
      },
      "expansion": "top",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "tops"
      },
      "expansion": "tops",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "so"
      },
      "expansion": "so",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "topside",
        "3": "top-side"
      },
      "expansion": "top-side",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "terve"
      },
      "expansion": "terve",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "turve",
        "t": "to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over"
      },
      "expansion": "turve (“to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over”)",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "obsolete"
      },
      "expansion": "(obsolete)",
      "name": "qualifier"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "suffix"
      },
      "expansion": "suffix",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "",
        "3": "y",
        "pos2": "suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’"
      },
      "expansion": "+ -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’)",
      "name": "suffix"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "",
        "3": "turve"
      },
      "expansion": "turve",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "enm",
        "3": "terven",
        "t": "to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle English terven (“to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall”)",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "terve, tirue, tirve, tirven, tyrve, tyrwe"
      },
      "expansion": "[…]",
      "name": "nb..."
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ang",
        "3": "*tierfan"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English *tierfan",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "ang",
        "2": "tearflian",
        "t": "to roll over, wallow"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English tearflian (“to roll over, wallow”)",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ang",
        "3": "torfian",
        "t": "to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English torfian (“to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed”)",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "gem-pro",
        "3": "*turbōną",
        "t": "to fling, hurl"
      },
      "expansion": "Proto-Germanic *turbōną (“to fling, hurl”)",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "gem-pro",
        "2": "*turbijaną",
        "t": "to turn, twist"
      },
      "expansion": "*turbijaną (“to turn, twist”)",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "ang",
        "2": "ġetyrfian",
        "t": "to assail with missiles; to assault, attack"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English ġetyrfian (“to assail with missiles; to assault, attack”)",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ine-pro",
        "3": "*derbʰ-",
        "t": "to spin, twist"
      },
      "expansion": "Proto-Indo-European *derbʰ- (“to spin, twist”)",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "noun"
      },
      "expansion": "noun",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "verb"
      },
      "expansion": "verb",
      "name": "glossary"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "The origin of the adverb and adjective are uncertain. Topsy is probably derived from top or tops though this does not explain the -sy ending; it has been suggested that the latter comes from so (thus, top so) or from top-set or top-side, modified to match the -y ending of turvy. The term topside-turvy is mentioned in the Anglo-Irish writer Laurence Sterne’s novel, The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (1759–1767).Turvy is probably derived from terve, turve (“to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over”) (obsolete) + -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’), with turve inherited from Middle English terven (“to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall”) […], perhaps from Old English *tierfan (compare Old English tearflian (“to roll over, wallow”)) or from Old English torfian (“to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed”), from Proto-Germanic *turbōną (“to fling, hurl”), *turbijaną (“to turn, twist”) (whence Old English ġetyrfian (“to assail with missiles; to assault, attack”)), from Proto-Indo-European *derbʰ- (“to spin, twist”). Thus, the term as a whole may literally mean “having the top side thrown or turned down”.\nThe noun and verb are probably derived from the adverb and adjective.",
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "topsy-turvies",
      "tags": [
        "plural"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "~"
      },
      "expansion": "topsy-turvy (countable and uncountable, plural topsy-turvies)",
      "name": "en-noun"
    }
  ],
  "hyphenation": [
    "top‧sy-turvy"
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "noun",
  "senses": [
    {
      "categories": [
        "English countable nouns",
        "English terms with quotations"
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "1850, [Warren Burton], “Augustus Starr, the Privateer who Turned Pedagogue—His New Crew Mutiny, and Perform a Singular Exploit”, in The District School as It Was. […], revised edition, Boston, Mass.: Phillips, Sampson and Company, […], →OCLC, page 159",
          "text": "Perhaps he was at a loss for the points of compass, as is often the case in tumbles and topsy-turvies.",
          "type": "quotation"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "An act of turning something backwards or upside down, or the situation that something is in after this has happened."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "act",
          "act#Noun"
        ],
        [
          "turning",
          "turn#Verb"
        ],
        [
          "backwards",
          "backwards"
        ],
        [
          "upside down",
          "upside down"
        ],
        [
          "situation",
          "situation"
        ],
        [
          "happen",
          "happen"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(countable) An act of turning something backwards or upside down, or the situation that something is in after this has happened."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "countable"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        "English countable nouns",
        "English terms with quotations"
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "1849, C[alvin] H[enderson] Wiley, “Boyish Conversation”, in Roanoke; or, “Where is Utopia?” […], Philadelphia, Pa.: T. B. Peterson & Brothers, […], published 1866, →OCLC, pages 110–111",
          "text": "[I ...] has seed a heap of scatterments and topsyturvies: here's hoping dat you all may swim smoofly along the briny waves of sacrificin' time, and ford the Jordan of destructive equinoxes, while fiery billows roll beneath!",
          "type": "quotation"
        },
        {
          "ref": "2006, Sue Robson, “Language, Communication and Thought”, in Developing Thinking and Understanding in Young Children: An Introduction for Students, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, New York, N.Y.: Routledge, page 114",
          "text": "The best-known examples of children’s nonsense language play, and their ‘topsy turvies’, or inversion of reality, are in Chukovsky, who asserts that such topsy turvies ‘strengthen (not weaken) the child’s awareness of reality’ [...].",
          "type": "quotation"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "A situation where the natural order of things has been upset."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "natural",
          "natural#Adjective"
        ],
        [
          "order",
          "order#Noun"
        ],
        [
          "thing",
          "thing"
        ],
        [
          "upset",
          "upset#Verb"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(countable, figurative) A situation where the natural order of things has been upset."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "countable",
        "figuratively"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        "English uncountable nouns"
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "Chaos, confusion, disorder."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "Chaos",
          "chaos"
        ],
        [
          "confusion",
          "confusion"
        ],
        [
          "disorder",
          "disorder#Noun"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(uncountable, figurative) Chaos, confusion, disorder."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "figuratively",
        "uncountable"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/ˌtɒpsɪˈtəːvi/",
      "tags": [
        "Received-Pronunciation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "ipa": "/ˈˌtɑpsiˈtɚvi/",
      "tags": [
        "General-American"
      ]
    },
    {
      "audio": "En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/3/3a/En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg/En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg.mp3",
      "ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg",
      "tags": [
        "General-American"
      ],
      "text": "Audio (GA)"
    },
    {
      "audio": "En-au-topsy turvy.ogg",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/e/e1/En-au-topsy_turvy.ogg/En-au-topsy_turvy.ogg.mp3",
      "ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/En-au-topsy_turvy.ogg",
      "tags": [
        "Australia"
      ],
      "text": "Audio (AU)"
    }
  ],
  "translations": [
    {
      "code": "bg",
      "lang": "Bulgarian",
      "roman": "bezporjadǎk",
      "sense": "situation where the natural order of things has been upset",
      "tags": [
        "masculine"
      ],
      "word": "безпорядък"
    }
  ],
  "wikipedia": [
    "Laurence Sterne",
    "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman"
  ],
  "word": "topsy-turvy"
}

{
  "categories": [
    "English 4-syllable words",
    "English adjectives",
    "English adverbs",
    "English countable nouns",
    "English entries with incorrect language header",
    "English entries with language name categories using raw markup",
    "English lemmas",
    "English multiword terms",
    "English nouns",
    "English reduplications",
    "English terms derived from Middle English",
    "English terms derived from Old English",
    "English terms derived from Proto-Germanic",
    "English terms derived from Proto-Indo-European",
    "English terms derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *derbʰ-",
    "English terms inherited from Middle English",
    "English terms inherited from Old English",
    "English terms inherited from Proto-Germanic",
    "English terms suffixed with -y",
    "English terms with IPA pronunciation",
    "English terms with audio links",
    "English terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys",
    "English terms with unknown etymologies",
    "English uncountable nouns",
    "English verbs"
  ],
  "derived": [
    {
      "tags": [
        "adjective"
      ],
      "word": "topsy-turvied"
    },
    {
      "tags": [
        "adjective",
        "noun"
      ],
      "word": "topsy-turvying"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ine-pro",
        "3": "*derbʰ-"
      },
      "expansion": "",
      "name": "root"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "adverb"
      },
      "expansion": "adverb",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "adjective"
      },
      "expansion": "adjective",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "nocap": "1"
      },
      "expansion": "uncertain",
      "name": "uncertain"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "top"
      },
      "expansion": "top",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "tops"
      },
      "expansion": "tops",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "so"
      },
      "expansion": "so",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "topside",
        "3": "top-side"
      },
      "expansion": "top-side",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "terve"
      },
      "expansion": "terve",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "turve",
        "t": "to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over"
      },
      "expansion": "turve (“to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over”)",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "obsolete"
      },
      "expansion": "(obsolete)",
      "name": "qualifier"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "suffix"
      },
      "expansion": "suffix",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "",
        "3": "y",
        "pos2": "suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’"
      },
      "expansion": "+ -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’)",
      "name": "suffix"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "",
        "3": "turve"
      },
      "expansion": "turve",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "enm",
        "3": "terven",
        "t": "to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle English terven (“to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall”)",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "terve, tirue, tirve, tirven, tyrve, tyrwe"
      },
      "expansion": "[…]",
      "name": "nb..."
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ang",
        "3": "*tierfan"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English *tierfan",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "ang",
        "2": "tearflian",
        "t": "to roll over, wallow"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English tearflian (“to roll over, wallow”)",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ang",
        "3": "torfian",
        "t": "to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English torfian (“to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed”)",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "gem-pro",
        "3": "*turbōną",
        "t": "to fling, hurl"
      },
      "expansion": "Proto-Germanic *turbōną (“to fling, hurl”)",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "gem-pro",
        "2": "*turbijaną",
        "t": "to turn, twist"
      },
      "expansion": "*turbijaną (“to turn, twist”)",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "ang",
        "2": "ġetyrfian",
        "t": "to assail with missiles; to assault, attack"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English ġetyrfian (“to assail with missiles; to assault, attack”)",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ine-pro",
        "3": "*derbʰ-",
        "t": "to spin, twist"
      },
      "expansion": "Proto-Indo-European *derbʰ- (“to spin, twist”)",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "noun"
      },
      "expansion": "noun",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "verb"
      },
      "expansion": "verb",
      "name": "glossary"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "The origin of the adverb and adjective are uncertain. Topsy is probably derived from top or tops though this does not explain the -sy ending; it has been suggested that the latter comes from so (thus, top so) or from top-set or top-side, modified to match the -y ending of turvy. The term topside-turvy is mentioned in the Anglo-Irish writer Laurence Sterne’s novel, The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (1759–1767).Turvy is probably derived from terve, turve (“to be thrown down; to fall; to dash down; to cast, throw; to turn back or down; to fold or roll over”) (obsolete) + -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of; inclined to’), with turve inherited from Middle English terven (“to throw (something) down; to throw (something) into confusion; to level; to resort or turn (to something); to go, move; to turn; to collapse, fall”) […], perhaps from Old English *tierfan (compare Old English tearflian (“to roll over, wallow”)) or from Old English torfian (“to launch, throw; to shoot missiles at; to stone; to be tossed”), from Proto-Germanic *turbōną (“to fling, hurl”), *turbijaną (“to turn, twist”) (whence Old English ġetyrfian (“to assail with missiles; to assault, attack”)), from Proto-Indo-European *derbʰ- (“to spin, twist”). Thus, the term as a whole may literally mean “having the top side thrown or turned down”.\nThe noun and verb are probably derived from the adverb and adjective.",
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "topsy-turvies",
      "tags": [
        "present",
        "singular",
        "third-person"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "topsy-turvys",
      "tags": [
        "present",
        "singular",
        "third-person"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "topsy-turvying",
      "tags": [
        "participle",
        "present"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "topsy-turvied",
      "tags": [
        "participle",
        "past"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "topsy-turvied",
      "tags": [
        "past"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "topsy-turvyed",
      "tags": [
        "participle",
        "past"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "topsy-turvyed",
      "tags": [
        "past"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "past2": "topsy-turvyed",
        "pres_3sg2": "topsy-turvys"
      },
      "expansion": "topsy-turvy (third-person singular simple present topsy-turvies or topsy-turvys, present participle topsy-turvying, simple past and past participle topsy-turvied or topsy-turvyed)",
      "name": "en-verb"
    }
  ],
  "hyphenation": [
    "top‧sy-turvy"
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "verb",
  "senses": [
    {
      "categories": [
        "English terms with quotations",
        "English transitive verbs"
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "1859 July, “Art. IX.—1. Adam Bede. By George Eliot. 3 vols. 1859. 2. Scenes of Clerical Life. By George Eliot. 2 vols. 1858. [book review]”, in The Edinburgh Review, or Critical Journal, volume CX, number CCXXIII, London: Longman, Green, Longman, and Roberts; Edinburgh: Adam and Charles Black, →OCLC, page 241",
          "text": "Mr. [George] Eliot's descriptions of scenery are perfect: [...] and so are his descriptions of children. [...] We forbear (though with regret) the introduction to our readers of Totty's bald doll, ignominously ‘topsy turvied’ by her insulting brother.",
          "type": "quotation"
        },
        {
          "ref": "2017, Jai Krishna, “High-resolution Intrabasinal to Inter-regional Geodynamic Chronicle during the Span of the Intra-Permian–Intra-Paleogene Mega-sequence in and around India on the GTM”, in The Indian Mesozoic Chronicle: Sequence Stratigraphic Approach (Springer Geology), Singapore: Springer Nature, →DOI, →ISSN, page 586",
          "text": "The already lithified/hardened late Early/early Middle Oxfordian chunks/slabs of the oolitic limestones fragmented and rotated, even topsy-turvied upside down in the repetitive violent/explosive shake ups.",
          "type": "quotation"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "To turn topsy-turvy or upside down; to invert."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "turn",
          "turn#Verb"
        ],
        [
          "topsy-turvy",
          "topsy-turvy#Adjective"
        ],
        [
          "upside down",
          "upside down"
        ],
        [
          "invert",
          "invert#Verb"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(transitive) To turn topsy-turvy or upside down; to invert."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "transitive"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        "English terms with quotations",
        "English transitive verbs"
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "[1854], G[eorge] E[liel] Sargent, “How the Legacy Went. In Two Chapters.”, in Moralities for Home, London: Groombridge and Sons. […], →OCLC, chapter II (How It Departed), page 148",
          "text": "[...] Mrs. Sykes said, ‘her man was the wust she ever knowed when he got topsy-turveyed.’ And as now, he began to get topsy-turveyed pretty regularly before he had finished his daily business with the retiring host of the Holly Bush, there was not much peace at home.",
          "type": "quotation"
        },
        {
          "ref": "1858 July–December, J. A., “Prose versus Verse”, in The New Monthly Belle Assemblée; a Magazine of Literature and Fashion, […], volume XLIX, London: Rogerson and Tuxford, […], →OCLC, page 188, column 1",
          "text": "Has not a diluent expletive been interjected to fill up a line? has not a plain proposition been topsy-turvied, till subject and object are miserably confused, because of accent?",
          "type": "quotation"
        },
        {
          "ref": "1892, M[aurice] O’Connor Morris, “Introduction”, in Memini: Or Reminiscences of Irish Life, London: Harrison & Sons, […], →OCLC, page ix",
          "text": "[M]y literary life was rather topsy-turveyed by a couple of untoward accidents last year, and a prostrating attack of influenza, and bronchitis subsequently, for the cure of which I am indebted to the climate of Portugal, [...]",
          "type": "quotation"
        },
        {
          "ref": "2007, “Portrayal of Diaspora Experiences”, in Basavaraj Naikar, editor, Indian English Literature, volume II, New Delhi: Atlantic Publishers & Distributors, page 195",
          "text": "Being from a lower caste, she earns her meager livelihood by cleaning the stairs and guarding the locality (the conventional roles are topsy turvyed).",
          "type": "quotation"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "To throw into chaos or disorder; to upset."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "throw",
          "throw#Verb"
        ],
        [
          "chaos",
          "chaos"
        ],
        [
          "disorder",
          "disorder#Noun"
        ],
        [
          "upset",
          "upset#Verb"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(transitive, figurative) To throw into chaos or disorder; to upset."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "figuratively",
        "transitive"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/ˌtɒpsɪˈtəːvi/",
      "tags": [
        "Received-Pronunciation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "ipa": "/ˈˌtɑpsiˈtɚvi/",
      "tags": [
        "General-American"
      ]
    },
    {
      "audio": "En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/3/3a/En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg/En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg.mp3",
      "ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/En-us-topsy-turvy.ogg",
      "tags": [
        "General-American"
      ],
      "text": "Audio (GA)"
    },
    {
      "audio": "En-au-topsy turvy.ogg",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/e/e1/En-au-topsy_turvy.ogg/En-au-topsy_turvy.ogg.mp3",
      "ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/En-au-topsy_turvy.ogg",
      "tags": [
        "Australia"
      ],
      "text": "Audio (AU)"
    }
  ],
  "synonyms": [
    {
      "word": "topsy-turvey"
    },
    {
      "word": "topsy turvy"
    }
  ],
  "wikipedia": [
    "Laurence Sterne",
    "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman"
  ],
  "word": "topsy-turvy"
}

This page is a part of the kaikki.org machine-readable All languages combined dictionary. This dictionary is based on structured data extracted on 2024-05-03 from the enwiktionary dump dated 2024-05-02 using wiktextract (f4fd8c9 and c9440ce). The data shown on this site has been post-processed and various details (e.g., extra categories) removed, some information disambiguated, and additional data merged from other sources. See the raw data download page for the unprocessed wiktextract data.

If you use this data in academic research, please cite Tatu Ylonen: Wiktextract: Wiktionary as Machine-Readable Structured Data, Proceedings of the 13th Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation (LREC), pp. 1317-1325, Marseille, 20-25 June 2022. Linking to the relevant page(s) under https://kaikki.org would also be greatly appreciated.