Heebie-jeebies Definition

hēbē-jēbēz
noun
A state of nervousness; jitters.
Webster's New World

Alternative form of heebie-jeebies.

Wiktionary

(US, idiomatic) A general feeling of anxiety, fear, uneasiness, or nausea.

I don't mind worms, but spiders give me the heebie-jeebies.
When I see that weird house, I get the heebie-jeebies.
Wiktionary

Origin of Heebie-jeebies

  • In 1928, the spelling "heebee-geebees" was used in U.S. article "We All Have the Heebee-Geebees" by G. M. Keller of Swift & Company (Modern School Store, Vol. 11, p. 269 via Google Books).

    From Wiktionary

  • In 1956, the spelling "heeby jeebies" was used by U.S. singer Little Richard on the cover of his homonymous SP record (the hyphenated spelling "heeby-jeebies" on its vinyl disc itself).

    From Wiktionary

  • In 1923, the spelling "heeby jeebys" was used by U.S. cartoonist Billy De Beck in his comic strip Barney Google (New York American, 26 October 1923).

    From Wiktionary

  • In 1926, the spelling "heebie jeebies" was used by U.S. singer Louis Armstrong for his single "Heebie Jeebies" (written by Boyd Atkins).

    From Wiktionary

  • In 1925, the spelling "heebee-jeebees" was used in U.S. magazine Ladies' Home Journal (Vol. 42, Part 2, p. 44).

    From Wiktionary

  • Coined by William De Beck (1890–1942), American cartoonist, in his comic strip Barney Google

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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