buck fever

American  

noun

1. nervous excitement of an inexperienced hunter upon the approach of game.

2. any nervous excitement preceding a new experience.

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buck fever British  

noun

1. nervous excitement felt by inexperienced hunters at the approach of game

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Etymology

Origin of buck fever

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

He writes, “ … it’s not that I fear buck fever, it’s that I can’t seem to work up a decent feeling of enmity toward a deer.”

From Seattle Times • Jul. 14, 2023

Don’t let buck fever cause you to freeze up during the Slate News Quiz.

From Slate • Jul. 23, 2021

The War Department increased the general buck fever by asking editors and publishers not to bannerize bombing raids, asking columnists to be casual.

From Time Magazine Archive

But add a pinch of buck fever, or try it when you�re out of breath, and hitting that plate becomes more like trying to hit a dime.

From Time Magazine Archive

What he saw sent him for a moment into the first nervous tremor of buck fever.

From The Wolf Hunters A Tale of Adventure in the Wilderness by Curwood, James Oliver