skew-whiff

Meaning

Askew; lopsided, not straight.

Synonyms

askew

awry

lopsided

cockeyed

wonky

sidelong

slantways

aslant

Translations

di traverso

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈskjuː.(w)ɪf/

Etymology

From skew + weft.
The expression 'skew weft' dates at least from the 18th century as a term used by handloom weavers, typically in northern England. It was used originally to describe fabric which was out of alignment, and the term survives today in the manufacture of glass fiber cloth.
The word weft does not derive from 'whiff' as in a puff of air (as suggested elsewhere). The modern spelling comes from a corruption of 'skew-wift' whose sound developed colloquially in spoken English from the original. Bow weft also exists.