Definition of the word change around

The phrase "change around" is a figure of speech that means to switch or alter the order or arrangement of things. The origin of this expression can be traced back to the mid-19th century when it was first recorded in American English. The term "change" in its original sense meant to exchange one thing for another, but by the early 1800s, it had come to mean a substitution or replacement. In this context, "change around" could be interpreted as "exchange the arrangement." It's possible that the phrase was coined specifically in the context of games or plays where players or actors would switch positions or roles. However, the term quickly gained broader usage and began appearing in various contexts, such as in arrangements for meetings, events, and schedules. In modern times, "change around" is commonly used to describe alterations in daily routines, such as switching the order of tasks or classes, or changing the order of speakers at a conference or scientific symposium. It is a flexible and versatile term that can be applied to a variety of situations where a rearrangement is necessary or desirable.