• higgledy-piggledy

higgledy-piggledy

views updated Jun 08 2018

hig·gle·dy-pig·gle·dy / ˈhigəldē ˈpigəldē/ • adv. & adj. in confusion or disorder: [as adv.] bits of paper hanging higgledy-piggledy on the furniture and walls | [as adj.] a higgledy-piggledy mountain of newspapers.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

higgledy-piggledy

views updated May 21 2018

higgledy-piggledy XVI. Rhyming jingle prob. based on PIG, with ref. to swine herding together.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

higgledy-piggledy

views updated May 14 2018

higgledy-piggledy in confusion or disorder. The expression comes (in the late 16th century) from a rhyming jingle, probably with reference to the irregular herding together of pigs.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

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