- Meaning
- This idiom describes becoming overly upset, agitated, or flustered about something trivial, as if one’s underwear is uncomfortably tangled. It conveys disproportionate emotional reaction, often used in informal, social, or humorous contexts to mock overreactions. The phrase carries a tone of teasing, dismissal, or light reprimand, reflecting cultural values of calmness and the human tendency to overreact. Its clothing imagery evokes a comical, personal discomfort, resonating in scenarios like petty disputes or minor setbacks. The idiom pokes fun at fussiness, making it a playful metaphor for keeping perspective.
- Origin
- The phrase originated in mid-20th-century Britain, tied to informal slang for women’s undergarments (‘knickers’) and physical discomfort as a metaphor for agitation. Its earliest recorded use appears in *The Guardian* (1960s), describing a politician’s overreaction. The idiom gained traction in the U.K. and Commonwealth countries through sitcoms and radio comedies, notably *Monty Python* sketches. Its spread was amplified by British cultural exports, though its use is less common in the U.S. due to ‘knickers’ being less familiar. Its adoption stems from its cheeky imagery and applicability to everyday irritations.
- Variants
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- Knickers in a twist
- Get your panties in a twist
- Knickers in a knot
- Examples
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- Don’t get your knickers in a twist over a small delay.
- She got her panties in a twist when her coffee order was wrong.
- Knickers in a knot, he fumed over a parking ticket.
- Get your knickers in a twist, why don’t you, over a typo?
- They had their knickers in a twist about the new office rules.
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