Conniption fit

Posted by Smokey Stover on July 06, 2005

In Reply to: Conniption fit posted by R. Berg on July 05, 2005

: : : : What is the meaning and origin of " kanipshin fit ".

: : : From dictionary.com:
: : : con·nip·tion
: : : n. Informal
: : : A fit of violent emotion, such as anger or panic. Also called conniption fit.

: : : [Origin unknown.]

: : Which is more serious a conniption fit or a hissy fit?

: To my mind (other minds may differ), the two are similar, and a conniption fit is more serious. Hissy fits are more showy and superficial. We call an outburst a hissy fit if it's way out of proportion to what occasioned it.

I think there is probably a difference in the human context. A hissy fit is aimed at someone, generally. The person having it wants at least one other person to know how he or she feels, which is at the minimum really ticked off. A conniption is a lot more internalized, I suspect, although in some cases doubtless there is a tendency to find someone to blame for that about which one is having the conniption. I hope that was intelligible. SS

• Conniption fit Smokey Stover 06/July/05
  • Conniption fit Steve E 06/July/05
    • Conniption fit R. Berg 08/July/05
      • Conniption fit Israel izzy Cohen 29/July/05
      • Hissy fits Smokey Stover 08/July/05