higgledy-piggledy
Translation
disorderly, jumbled, helter-skelter
Examples
The books were piled higgledy-piggledy on the floor.
The books were piled higgledy-piggledy on the floor.
It was a higgledy-piggledy collection of old furniture.
It was a higgledy-piggledy collection of old furniture.
Grammar Patterns
((as an adverb)) in a disorderly manner The books were piled higgledy-piggledy.
((as an adjective)) disorderly, jumbled It was a higgledy-piggledy collection of furniture.
Similar Words
Synonyms: messy, chaotic, jumbled; Antonyms: orderly, neat, tidy
Etymology
A rhyming compound of uncertain origin, possibly alluding to the disorderly way pigs might crowd together. First recorded in the 16th century.
Memory Tips
The playful, rhyming sound of 'higgledy-piggledy' itself suggests a fun, harmless kind of mess, like a child's messy bedroom.