collywobbles

[ kol-ee-wob-uhlz ]

noun

, (used with a singular or plural verb)

1. intestinal cramps or other intestinal disturbances.
2. a feeling of fear, apprehension, or nervousness.

collywobbles

/ ˈkɒlɪˌwɒbəlz /

plural noun

1. an upset stomach
2. acute diarrhoea
3. an intense feeling of nervousness

Word History and Origins

Origin of collywobbles¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of collywobbles¹

C19: probably from New Latin cholera morbus the disease cholera, influenced through folk etymology by colic and wobble

Example Sentences

Within five minutes everybody aboard had the galloping collywobbles and the twittering jitters.

From Project Gutenberg

We took it out by staring Driggs almost into the collywobbles.

From Project Gutenberg

Let's get out of here; this place gives me the collywobbles.

From Project Gutenberg

Are you takin' those dashed morphia tabloids of Taggart's for bad-water collywobbles again?

From Project Gutenberg