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; see -s ³

Explanation

If you have a case of the collywobbles, then chances are you should stay home and close to the bathroom. Collywobbles is severe gastroenteritis that may send your lunch on a rocky round trip through your digestive system. Many common illnesses have the look of a plural but the behavior of a singular (mumps, measles, hives) and collywobbles follows the pattern. The OED describes the origin of the word as a 'fantastic formation' of colic and wobble. That would be fantastic not in the "incredibly wonderful" sense but in the "based on fantasy" sense.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

collywobbles

Zverev, at 3-2 up, has a few collywobbles with his serve, and two double faults present Millman with two break points.

From The Guardian ● Jan. 19, 2022

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

From The Guardian ● Aug. 16, 2018

There may be little to give you the collywobbles, but there’s quite a lot to enjoy, with Ms. Morton heading the list.

From New York Times ● Apr. 9, 2015

Here's Iran, causing collywobbles wherever summits convene; here's Iraq, a profoundly unsettled state; and Nato's Afghanistan, a disaster without end.

From The Guardian ● Jun. 13, 2010

Without missing a beat, Logan hollers, “I’m feeling kinda collywobbles, sir. I gotta hurl!”

From "Blended" by Sharon M. Draper