More about helter-skelter
- First recorded in 1585鈥95.
- Rhyming compound, perhaps based on unattested skelt, Middle English skelten, 鈥渢o hasten,鈥 (further origin unknown); reduplication with initial h parallel to hubble-bubble, higgledy-piggledy, etc.
EXAMPLES OF HELTER-SKELTER
- The toys were left helter-skelter on the floor after the children鈥檚 playdate, creating a mess.
- The sudden downpour sent people running helter-skelter to find cover from the rain.