boustrophedon (n.): a system of writing in which successive lines read in opposite directions, as left-to-right alternating with right-to-left.  (also adj., adv.)

“Boustrophedon” isn’t a word that gets a ton of play these days, as you might imagine.  It comes directly from the Greek boustrophedon, meaning “turning like an ox in plowing,” from bous, meaning ox or cow (the same root as in “bovine”) and strephein, meaning to turn (the root of “catastrophe,” i.e. to overturn, and “apostrophe,” i.e. to turn away).  Many ancient languages were written boustrophedon, including Egyptian hieroglyphics and pre-Hellenic period Greek.  Boustrophedon has become a rarity in modern times, but it does crop up occasionally, as in Brian Chippendale’s spastic comic book Ninja, which my brother received for Hannukah this year.  Anyway, the next time you’re leaving a note for someone, take our old friend boustrophedon out for a spin — I’m sure you’ll be glad you did.