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

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

From The Guardian

But Hughton’s deflection is likely less a sign of weakness than an effort to contain any outbreak of the collywobbles.

From The Guardian

With British politics suffering a bout of the collywobbles, we needed a statesman to bring some stability to proceedings.

From Wall Street Journal