adj. (old cant: now recognised).—In confusion; topsy-turvy; at sixes and sevens.
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde of Wordes, s.v. Alla rappa, snatchingly, HIGLEDI-PIGLEDIE, shiftingly, rap and run.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. HIGGLEDE-PIGGLEDY, all together, as Hoggs and Piggs lie Nose in Arse.
1725. A New Canting Dictionary, s.v.
1758. A. MURPHY, The Upholsterer, ii. Ambassadors and Hair-Cutters, all HIGGLEDY-PIGGLEDY together.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v.
1812. JOHNSON, English Dictionary, s.v. HIGGLEDY-PIGGLEDY, a cant word, corrupted from higgle, which denotes any confused mass, as higglers carry a huddle of provisions together.
1849. DICKENS, David Copperfield, ch. xxii., p. 199. His name’s got all the letters in it, HIGGLEDY-PIGGLEDY.
1873. BROUGHTON, Nancy, ch. ii. We are all HIGGLEDY-PIGGLEDY—at sixes and sevens!
1876. M. E. BRADDON, Joshua Haggard, ch. xvi. ‘If some of you will sit down,’ remonstrated Judith, ‘I’ll pour out the tea. But I don’t feel as if anybody wanted it while you’re standing about HIGGLEDY-PIGGLEDY.’
