collywobbles

American  

[kol-ee-wob-uhlz] / ˈkɒl iˌwɒb əlz /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. intestinal cramps or other intestinal disturbances.

2. a feeling of fear, apprehension, or nervousness.

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collywobbles British  

/ ˈkɒlɪˌwɒbəlz /

plural noun

1. an upset stomach

2. acute diarrhoea

3. an intense feeling of nervousness

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Etymology

Origin of collywobbles

1815–25; coinage presumably based on colic, wobble; -s ³

Example Sentences

A bunch of ordinary ones, like “mischief” and “possibility,” but he threw two cool ones in there: “collywobbles” and “gardyloo.”

From Literature

Eva Perón throws her husband’s mistress out on the streets, and Madonna’s wavering vocal goes full collywobbles.

From The Guardian

But Hughton’s deflection is likely less a sign of weakness than an effort to contain any outbreak of the collywobbles.

From The Guardian

With British politics suffering a bout of the collywobbles, we needed a statesman to bring some stability to proceedings.

From The Wall Street Journal

There have been suggestions having many different rates for child benefit would give government computers the collywobbles.

From BBC