9 October 2013

conniption

[kuh-nip-shuhn]

noun

Often, conniptions. Informal.

– a fit of hysterical excitement or anger.

Also called conniption fit.

Example:

– She had a conniption when her mobile phone went missing.

Origin:
1825–35, Americanism; origin uncertain

Today’s aphorism

If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there’d be peace.

– John Lennon

On this day

9 October 1940 – birthday of John Lennon. English guitarist and singer-songwriter for the Beatles. Murdered 8 December 1980.

9 October 1967 – death of Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara, Argentinian Marxist revolutionary, physician, author. Executed in Bolivia.

9 October 1969 – birth of P.J. Harvey, English musician.

9 October 1975 – Andrei Sakharov, Soviet dissident, wins Nobel Peace Prize.