Gradient tool appears to operate backwards

Using latest version of Phiotoshop CC (21.1.0) and when I drag out the gradient tool line across the image, it starts with the background color and ends with the foreground color. When I opt for the color-to-transparency gradation in the top bar (basics folder), it selects the foreground color correctly but then starts from the full transparent treatment to solid color, rather than the other way around, as usual. 

I read years ago that opening the floating color palette and making sure foreground and background was selected correctly would solve the bug, but everything looks correctly set.

Let me know if there's some other setting that I've inadvertantly turned on.