arselong en · ADV
Etymology
Alteration (after headlong) of arseling, from Middle English *arsling, from Old English earsling (“backwards, on the back”), equivalent to arse + -ling. Cognate with Dutch aarzeling, aarzelings, German ärschling, ärschlings.
Meanings
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(UK, dialectal, not-comparable) Backwards; on one's arse.
Heave they did, all unopposed, and tumbled arselong when the bar came about. Even as they rolled and cursed, the whistling petered; [...]
1981, John Barth, Giles goat-boy:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| arselings | alternative | lexicographic | |
| arseling | alternative | lexicographic |