reverse English

noun

1. Also called reverse side. Billiards. a spinning motion imparted to a cue ball in such a manner as to prevent it from moving in a certain direction. Compare running English.
2. words that, because of their misuse or careless syntax, convey an opposite meaning from the one intended or leave their exact meaning in doubt:

   “Don't miss it if you can” is reverse English.

Word History and Origins

Origin of reverse English¹

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Example Sentences

In the matter of the manner, Mr. Chesterton's trick of "reverse English," to employ the billiard player's term, take this:

From Project Gutenberg

He has the same spirit—with the reverse English on it, of course—that I had taken for granted had died with the early martyrs.

From Project Gutenberg

Reverse English in Los Angeles a few days later.

From Project Gutenberg

In fact, given the reverse English now common to political spin, I can imagine the ineligibility of Canadians as being used to make a point.

From Time Magazine Archive

When the killer is unmasked, Symons still has enough ingenuity in reserve to put some reverse English on the disposition of the discovery.

From Time Magazine Archive