widdershins |ˈwidərˌ sh inz| (also withershins)adverb chiefly Scottishin a direction contrary to the sun's course, considered as unlucky; counterclockwise.ORIGIN early 16th cent.: from Middle Low Germanweddersins, from Middle High Germanwidersinnes, from wider ‘against’ + sin ‘direction’ ; the second element was associated with Scots sin [sun.]
Another word I should use more often...
ReplyDeleteIt makes me think "withered shins" - something you'd have a good view of if the person wore a kilt. I think my free association has gone wild.
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