conniption

English
WOTD – 21 January 2009

Etymology

Since 1833, from American English. Unknown origin, perhaps related to corruption or captious.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /kəˈnɪp.ʃən/
  • Audio (US)(file)
  • Audio (AU)(file)

Noun

conniption (plural conniptions)

  1. (informal) A fit of anger or panic; conniption fit.
    • 2001, Slipknot, "My Plague", Iowa.
      I'm in conniptions for the final act you came here for
    When she came downstairs and saw what her children were eating, she had a conniption.
    ...threatened by the conniptions gripping Wall Street (Businessweek Oct.20, 2008)
  2. A fit of laughing; convulsion.
    The joke was not that funny, but he went into conniptions laughing.

Synonyms

Translations
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