Case of the Screaming Ab Dabs

Posted by Lotg (OZ) on August 23, 2004

This morning my step-daughter asked me how I slept last night. I said "OK, except I had a case of the screaming ab dabs". She looked at me in bewilderment, so I explained that I meant I had a tummy upset.

This was a term I grew up with and use without thinking. Another one my dad often used when referring to someone chucking a wobbly or a temper tantrum was "he's having a spajilic mandragara". I use that one quite often too, again to most people's bewilderment.

Now I have absolutely no idea how to spell either of those terms or even whether there's a right or wrong way, as my father always said them, never wrote them.

What I'd like to know is whether anyone else has ever heard these terms or whether they're just a special foible of my dad's?

• Case of the Screaming Ab Dabs Lewis 27/August/04
  • Thanks Lewis Lotg (OZ) 29/August/04