English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

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.

Adverb edit

arselong (not comparable)

  1. (UK dialectal) Backwards; on one's arse.
    • 1981, John Barth, Giles goat-boy:
      Heave they did, all unopposed, and tumbled arselong when the bar came about. Even as they rolled and cursed, the whistling petered; [...]

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