Arselong

Alternative forms

• arseling, arselings

Origin

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.

Full definition of arselong

Adverb

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; ...