1520s, "but prob. in popular use from an earlier period" [OED]; compare top over terve "to fall over" (mid-15c.); likely from tops, plural of top (n.1) "highest point" + obsolete terve "turn upside down, topple over," from Old English tearflian "to roll over, overturn," from Proto-Germanic *terbanan (cognates: Old High German zerben "to turn round"). Century Dictionary calls it "A word which, owing to its popular nature, its alliterative type, and to ignorance of its origin, leading to various perversions made to suggest some plausible origin, has undergone, besides the usual variations of spelling, extraordinary modifications of form." It lists 31 variations. As an adjective from 1610s.
实用例句
1. Miss Ophelia was uneasy that Eva should fancy Topsy's society so much.
奥菲丽亚小姐看见伊娃这样欢喜跟托普西在一起玩,心里有些惴惴不安.
来自辞典例句
2. Topsy had an uncommon verbal memory, and committed with a fluency that greatly encouraged her instructress.
托普西对文字的记忆力非常强, 上课时对答如流,使她的教师感到十分鼓舞.
来自辞典例句
3. Topsy would hold a perfect carnival of confusion , for some one or two hours.
托普西就会恣意胡闹上一、二个小时.
来自辞典例句
4. He turned the little boy topsy - turning.
他把这个小男孩倒提着.
来自互联网
5. Yes, ma'am, said Topsy, with profound attention.