shpilkes

English

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”).

Noun

shpilkes pl (plural only)

1. A state of impatience, agitation, and/or anxiety.

   This job interview tomorrow gives me shpilkes.

Synonyms

• (state of agitation): on pins and needles

See also

• ants in one's pants
• on tenterhooks