General
conniption fit
What does conniption fit mean?
An extended emphatic form of "conniption"; a dramatic outburst.
"She threw a conniption fit over the seating chart."
Origin
American English, 1830s; "conniption" (origin uncertain) paired redundantly with "fit."
Frequently asked questions
What does "conniption fit" mean?
It's a dramatic outburst of temper, panic, or hysteria—someone overreacting in a big, showy way.
How is it used?
Usually with "throw" or "have," e.g. "He threw a conniption fit." You can also just say "a conniption" or "the conniptions."
Where does the word come from?
"Conniption" appears in American English around the 1830s; its exact origin is uncertain, and "fit" is tacked on for emphasis.
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