Head over heels

[wordmall]

When you dissect it, "head over heels" doesn't make much sense. Our head is SUPPOSED to be over our heels. I understand that the original was "heels over head" (signifying a cartwheel), and that does make sense.

My question: is there a word for such a reversal of image? (I can't think of another example at the moment.)


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Michael J. Sheehan

Word Parts Dictionary:   www.mcfarlandpub.com/book-2.php?id=978-0-7864-3564-7

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The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org