Dictionary

heebie-jeebies en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˌhiː.biːˈdʒiː.biːz/
• (US) audio

Etymology

The earliest found occurrences of spelling variants (it is not established whether the first one coined the term or committed to print an earlier oral expression): * 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). * In 1925, the spelling "heebee-jeebees" was used in U.S. magazine Ladies' Home Journal (Vol. 42, Part 2, p. 44). * In 1926, the spelling "heebie jeebies" was used by U.S. singer Louis Armstrong for his single "Heebie Jeebies" (written by Boyd Atkins). * 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). * In 1956, the spelling "heeby jeebies" was used by U.S. singer Little Richard on the cover of his homonymous SP record (and the hyphenated spelling "heeby-jeebies" on its vinyl disc itself).

Meanings

1. (US, informal, plural, plural-only) A general feeling of anxiety, fear, uneasiness, or nausea.
   • When I see that weird house, I get the heebie-jeebies.
   • I don't mind worms, but spiders give me the heebie-jeebies.
   • P.U., that outhouse gives me the heebie-jeebies!

Forms

Relateds

give someone the creeps · give someone the willies

Synonyms

willies · creeps · fear · collywobbles

Translations (16)

hu libabőr (a general feeling of anxiety, fear, uneasiness, or nausea) · hu szorongás (a general feeling of anxiety, fear, uneasiness, or nausea) · hu ijedség (a general feeling of anxiety, fear, uneasiness, or nausea) · hu frász (a general feeling of anxiety, fear, uneasiness, or nausea) · hu ijedtség (a general feeling of anxiety, fear, uneasiness, or nausea) · hu hidegrázás (a general feeling of anxiety, fear, uneasiness, or nausea) · pl ciarki (a general feeling of anxiety, fear, uneasiness, or nausea) · de Gänsehaut (a general feeling of anxiety, fear, uneasiness, or nausea) · hu rémület (a general feeling of anxiety, fear, uneasiness, or nausea) · es yuyu (a general feeling of anxiety, fear, uneasiness, or nausea) · es canguelo (a general feeling of anxiety, fear, uneasiness, or nausea) · hu ijedelem (a general feeling of anxiety, fear, uneasiness, or nausea) · hu borzongás (a general feeling of anxiety, fear, uneasiness, or nausea) · hu félelem (a general feeling of anxiety, fear, uneasiness, or nausea) · hu borsódzik a háta (tőle) (a general feeling of anxiety, fear, uneasiness, or nausea) · de Angstzustände (a general feeling of anxiety, fear, uneasiness, or nausea)

wikipedia: Boyd Atkins · wikipedia: Barney Google · wikipedia: Little Richard · wikipedia: Swift & Company · wikipedia: Ladies' Home Journal · wikipedia: New York American · wikipedia: Heebie Jeebies (composition) · wikipedia: Billy De Beck · wikipedia: Louis Armstrong