(pronounced hehl-tehr SKEHL-ter)

As a child, this term was very confusing as it was associated with both a song by the handsome and famous Beatles and the infamous, disheveled killer Charles Manson. In normal, everyday language, however, it’s a quite simple to understand. Whether used as a noun, adjective or adverb, the term helter-skelter constitutes haphazard disorder and confusion, often in a hurried manner and without a set plan of action. The example sentence demonstrates its use as an adverb.

Example: In an effort to meet the unexpectedly truncated deadline for the RFP, Robert’s team operated helter-skelter for over five hours, assembling recent firm data, project images and biographic information on the company’s principals into one neat little package.