conniption
[kuh-nip-shuh n]
- Often conniptions. Informal. a fit of hysterical excitement or anger.
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Origin of conniption
An Americanism dating back to 1825–35; origin uncertain
Also called conniption fit.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for conniption
Historical Examples
It isn't wise to have a conniption fit every time you lose a trick.
You Should Worry Says John HenryGeorge V. Hobart
On the bank the Wildcat had launched into his third conniption fit.
Lady LuckHugh Wiley
That dog of yours, Carlyn May, will give Jimmy a conniption fit yet.
Carolyn of the CornersRuth Belmore Endicott
She said she almost had a conniption fit but Emma kept hold of her.
Village Life in America 1852-1872Caroline Cowles Richards
Amelia Ramsey would have had a conniption fit if she had known that her precious boy was working out.
By the Light of the SoulMary E. Wilkins Freeman
conniption
- (often plural) US and Canadian slang a fit of rage or tantrums
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Word Origin
C19: arbitrary pseudo-Latin coinage
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for conniption
n.
1833, American English, origin uncertain; perhaps related to corruption, which was used in a sense of "anger" from 1799, or from English dialectal canapshus "ill-tempered, captious," probably a corruption of captious.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with conniption
conniption
see have a fit (conniption).
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.