heebie-jeebies

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 in his comic strip ' (', 26 October 1923).
 * In 1925, the spelling "heebee-jeebees" was used in U.S. magazine  (Vol. 42, Part 2, p. 44).
 * In 1926, the spelling "heebie jeebies" was used by U.S. singer for his single  (written by ).
 * In 1928, the spelling "heebee-geebees" was used in U.S. article "We All Have the Heebee-Geebees" by G. M. Keller of (Modern School Store, Vol. 11, p. 269 via Google Books).
 * In 1956, the spelling "heeby jeebies" was used by U.S. singer on the cover of his homonymous SP record (and the hyphenated spelling "heeby-jeebies" on its vinyl disc itself).

Noun

 * 1)  A general feeling of anxiety, fear, uneasiness, or nausea.
 * I don't mind worms, but spiders give me the heebie-jeebies.
 * When I see that weird house, I get the heebie-jeebies.

Usage notes

 * Most commonly used with the verbs "give" and "get" (as in the expressions "get the heebie-jeebies" and "give someone the heebie-jeebies").

Synonyms

 * See Thesaurus:fear
 * See Thesaurus:fear

Translations

 * German: ,
 * Hungarian:, , , , , , , , , , borsódzik (tőle) a háta
 * Polish: ciarki
 * Spanish: ,