higgledy-piggledy

== English == === Alternative forms === higgledypiggledy, hoggledy-piggledy, hoggledy-poggledy, huggledy-piggledy === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈhɪɡəldiˌpɪɡəldi/ === Etymology 1 === A reduplicated rhyming compound. The Oxford English Dictionary suggests a possible link to pig, since the animals huddle in irregular groups, but notes that the connection is uncertain. First use appears c. 1598. The first part of the old alternative form, hoggledy-piggledy, may derive from the archaic Welsh hogldy, a hovel. ==== Adjective ==== higgledy-piggledy (comparative more higgledy-piggledy, superlative most higgledy-piggledy) (slang) In utter disorder or confusion; mixed up. ===== Synonyms ===== (in disorder): disordered, disorderly, hugger-mugger, jumbled, topsy-turvy, raggle-taggle ===== Derived terms ===== higgledy ===== Translations ===== ===== See also ===== Thesaurus:hodgepodge ==== Adverb ==== higgledy-piggledy (comparative more higgledy-piggledy, superlative most higgledy-piggledy) (slang) In a confused, disordered, or random way. ===== Synonyms ===== (in a disordered way): willy-nilly ===== Translations ===== ==== Noun ==== higgledy-piggledy (plural higgledy-piggledies) A disordered jumble; a confusion. ===== Synonyms ===== See Thesaurus:hodgepodge ==== References ==== "higgledy-piggledy" James A. H. Murray et al., editors (1884–1928), “Higgledy-piggledy”, in A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles (Oxford English Dictionary), London: Clarendon Press, →OCLC. . === Etymology 2 === Self-reference to the form of the word higgledy-piggledy. ==== Noun ==== higgledy-piggledy (plural higgledy-piggledies) A double-dactyl; a short poem with eight lines in dactylic meter. Any of various word games using rhyming compounds or dactylic words or phrases. ==== Further reading ==== Higgledy piggledy on Wikipedia.Wikipedia