American English Podcast 196 - Expression: To Have a Hissy Fit
Jul 31, 2025
Dive into the quirky world of the phrase 'hissy fit'—a Southern expression for dramatic overreactions! Enjoy humorous examples, from picky eaters to Wi-Fi crises. Discover the origins and usage of this colorful term as the hosts explore how such emotional outbursts are viewed in society. The conversation blends laughter with deeper insights into expressing feelings, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Meaning of Hissy Fit
- To have a hissy fit means to overreact dramatically or have a tantrum-like meltdown.
- It describes a loud, emotional overreaction often involving anger or frustration, like stomping or screaming.
Southern Origin of Hissy Fit
- The phrase 'hissy fit' has Southern U.S. origins from the 1930s-40s.
- It evolved from 'throwing a hissy' to 'hissy fit,' first recorded in 1967.
Kids' Wi-Fi Hissy Fit
- Shauna tells how her daughters threw hissy fits when internet froze during TV time in Portuguese.
- The kids reacted with blaming each other, screaming, and crying over the Wi-Fi issue.