swivet

[prettygoodword]

swivet - n., a state of agitation or discomposure.


"Don' work thaself into a swivet." Origin unknown, I'm disappointed to learn.

---L.

Comments

[movingfinger.livejournal.com]

Probably from the same trail of derivation that led to sweep and swive, which also gives us swivel, but the trail's just not established yet. It plainly belongs in that family.

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

You're probably onto something.

---L.

[movingfinger.livejournal.com]

All bets off on "Swiffer", though.

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

I make that as alteration from swift/swifter.

---L.