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

Or do Conservative MPs conclude yet another blast of the collywobbles would be unforgivably indulgent?

From BBC

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

From Literature

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

From Literature

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

Other past winners include a plastic dog on a plate of jelly, called Collywobbles, and a toy tractor pulling a plastic pig, entitled Pulled Pork.

From BBC