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#184423 04/21/09 12:24 PM
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stranger
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V
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Does anyone know when the phrase "sixes and sevens" came into use? I've been looking for a phrase meaning "topsy-turvey" or "turned upside down" that dates to the mid to late 19th century.
Thanks in advance for any information you may have.

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Carpal Tunnel
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World Wide Words has an Q&A session on its origin and is probably a good place to start (link).


Ceci n'est pas un seing.
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The prevalent 'urban legend' I have heard refers to a British game with dice. In this game, the rules all change when a Six or Seven is thrown.
I have no authority to which to point for this, though.


"I am certain there is too much certainty in the world" -Michael Crichton
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Carpal Tunnel
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I have no authority to which to point for this, though.

Michael Quinion discusses it in the link I provided above.


Ceci n'est pas un seing.

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