fantod

[ fan-tod ]

noun

1. Usually the fantods. a state of extreme nervousness or restlessness; the willies; the fidgets:

   We all developed the fantods when the plane was late in arriving.

2. Sometimes fantods. a sudden outpouring of anger, outrage, or a similar intense emotion.

fantod

/ ˈfæntəd /

noun

1. crotchety or faddish behaviour
2. pl a state of restlessness or unease

Word History and Origins

Origin of fantod¹

First recorded in 1835–40; of obscure origin; possibly fant(igue) (earlier fantique, perhaps blend of fantasy and frantic; -igue probably by association with fatigue ) + -od(s); -s ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of fantod¹

C19: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

At first it seemed the warm beer was giving Vollie fantod hallucinations, but he’d only drunk the one, nice and slow to let the stomach take it, not even the one, a swig remained in the can he held with fingers that meantime guided the steering wheel.

From The New Yorker

"Cripes, I'd a' thought I seen a fantod on'y I bin teetotal fer a year."

From Project Gutenberg

She could not see the tenacious Forsyte spirit working in that thin, tremulous shape against the extravagance of the emotion called up by this outrage on Forsyte principles—the Forsyte spirit deep in there, saying: 'You mustn't get into a fantod, it'll never do.

From Project Gutenberg

It's the dreaded Highgollacum fantod from the forest.

From Project Gutenberg

She could not see the tenacious Forsyte spirit working in that thin, tremulous shape against the extravagance of the emotion called up by this outrage on Forsyte principles—the Forsyte spirit deep in there, saying: 'You mustn't get into a fantod, it'll never do.

From Project Gutenberg