shpilkes en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /ˈʃpɪlkɪs/
Etymology
Borrowed from Yiddish שפּילקעס (shpilkes, “needles”), ultimately from a Slavic term such as Polish szpilka, which comes from Italian spilla, from Late Latin spīnula (“little thorn”).
Meanings
-
(plural, plural-only) A state of impatience, agitation, or anxiety.
This job interview tomorrow gives me shpilkes.
Relateds
on tenterhooks · ants in one's pants