I was wondering whether you think (if you have heard) the phrase “having kittens”? A sentence might be “Alice was upset about Bob dropping her vase – she was having kittens about it”. I suspect it is some sort misheard euphemism of conniptions.
Anon:
June 28th, 2021 at 12:07 pm
“Having kittens” is a phrase that I’ve always considered to be a very English phrase. Doesn’t rule it out as being a mishearing of “conniption” though. I grew up in central England and it was a popular phrase uttered by my mother. “Don’t do that else your dad will have kittens!”
Amanda:
October 25th, 2021 at 5:10 pm
Can’t conniption also have a positive spin? I thought it could also represent a ‘fit of hysterical excitement’.
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Martin:
May 23rd, 2021 at 7:27 pm
I was wondering whether you think (if you have heard) the phrase “having kittens”? A sentence might be “Alice was upset about Bob dropping her vase – she was having kittens about it”. I suspect it is some sort misheard euphemism of conniptions.
Anon:
June 28th, 2021 at 12:07 pm
“Having kittens” is a phrase that I’ve always considered to be a very English phrase. Doesn’t rule it out as being a mishearing of “conniption” though. I grew up in central England and it was a popular phrase uttered by my mother. “Don’t do that else your dad will have kittens!”
Amanda:
October 25th, 2021 at 5:10 pm
Can’t conniption also have a positive spin? I thought it could also represent a ‘fit of hysterical excitement’.