'upend' originates from the combination of 'up' and 'end', where 'up' meant 'toward a higher position' and 'end' meant 'the final part'.

'upend' changed from the Old English word 'upp' and 'endian', eventually becoming the modern English word 'upend'.

Initially, it meant 'to set something on its end', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to overturn or disrupt'.