Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

TERSIE VERSIE, adj., adv. Also tarsie versie (Rxb. 1825 Jam.), tersy versy (‡Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Topsy turvy, upside down, in a random disorderly manner (‡Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); walking backwards (Rxb. 1825 Jam.).Slk. 1829 Hogg Shep. Cal. (1874) ii.:
Doiting up through amang the sheep that gate putting them a' tersyversy?Dmf. 1859 W. Laing Poems 50:
Where mossy rills, amang the hills, Rin tersy versy, here and there.Slk. 1875 Border Treasury (13 Feb.) 334:
She poud out my uncle's Sunday claes a' tersie-versie.