TEMPER
ADJECTIVES
► ALL HORNS AND RATTLES said of one displaying a fit of temper;’ very angry → 1944 Amer. dial.
► CRANKY of capricious temper; difficult to please; cross-tempered → 1821
► FITSY subject to attacks of temper, uncertain → 1930 Amer. dial.
► GALYARS restive, in a temper → 1900 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► GUMPLE-FOISTED sulky, out of temper → 1824 Sc.
► OFF AT HOOKS out of temper; unwell → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► OFF ONE’S RAG in a furious temper; very angry → 1990s UK juvenile sl.
► RANK vexed, passionate, in a temper → 1875 Eng. dial.
► SHORT-FUSED having a quick temper → 1979
► TANTRUMY passionate; given to bursts of ill temper → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► TEMPER-THRAWING souring the temper → 1873 Sc.
► TICKLISH easily upset in temper; apt to be offended, sensitive, touchy → 1581
► UNKED cross, out of temper; silent, sulky → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
NOUNS
► ACE-DEUCE a panic attack; a fit of nerves; a sudden fit of temper → 1921 US sl.
► ACEY-DEUCEY a sudden fit of panic; a display of temper → 1964 Amer. sl.
► ACT a fit of temper; a tantrum → 1940s Aust. sl.
► AFFECT disposition, temper, natural tendency → 1541 obs.
► AFRICKY fighting spirit; temper → 1838 Amer. dial.
► AMBITION malice; vindictiveness; grudge; hatred; irascibility; a quick temper → 1826 Amer. dial.
► ANNIE ROONEY an outburst of bad temper → 1988 UK sl.
► ARSEACHE a bad temper → 1990s sl.
► ARSE-ON a fit of bad temper, the sulks → 2000 UK sl.
► ATTERN-TEMPER irritating, malignant temper → 1854 Eng. dial.
► AYROM an unpleasant commotion or disturbance, display of temper, tantrums → 1850 Eng. dial.
► BAIT a fit of bad temper; a rage → 1857 sl.
► BARLEY-HOOD a fit of drunkenness, or of ill humour or temper brought on by drinking → a1529
► BARLEY-MOOD a fit of drunkenness, or of ill humour or temper brought on by drinking; barley-hood → 1790
► BATE a fit of bad temper; a rage → 1857 sl.
► BATEY a temper, a tantrum → L19 sl.
► BIRSE temper, anger → 1911 Sc. (Bk.)
► BLACK DOG a fit of bad temper → 1898 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► BLOB-STROP a bout of bad temper on the part of a female → 1970 UK sl. (Bk.)
► BLOW-UP a violent outburst of temper or scolding → 1981 Aust. colloq. (Bk.)
► BRAINGE a fit of temper → 1911 Sc. (Bk.)
► CANKER bad temper, ‘bad blood’ → 1660 Sc.
► CHRIS-CROSS a fit of temper → 1893 Eng. dial.
► CHUCK a temper tantrum → 1979 Aust. sl.
► DANDER temper, anger, indignation → 1831 colloq., orig. US
► DANDRUFF anger, temper → 1950 Amer. dial.
► DANDRUM a whim; a freak; ill-temper → 1900 Sc. (Bk.)
► DEAD NARK a very bad temper → 20C Aust. sl.
► DILDRUM a ridiculous passion or temper → 1897 Eng. dial.
► DING anger, temper → 1900 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► DING-FUZ a temper, pet; anger → 1900 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► EBENESER ► EBENEZER anger, temper, passion → 1836 Amer. dial. obs.
► FAGUE a violent passion, a burst of temper → 1867 Eng. dial.
► FANNY a fit of temper → 2000s sl.
► FARTING-SPELL a display of bad temper → 1984 Amer. dial.
► FEAG a violent passion, a burst of temper → 1867 Eng. dial.
► FEGARY a wild, excitable temper or humour; a tantrum → 1900 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► FIKE-FACKS nonsense; foolish, trifling sayings; whims, peculiarities of temper → 1825 Sc.
► FIREWORKS trouble; a display of temper → 2006 US sl. (Bk.)
► FLARE-OUT a fight; an outburst of temper; also, a spree → 1838 sl.
► FLARE-UP a fight; an outburst of temper; also, a spree → 1838 sl.
► FLINK a bad temper, a tantrum → 1882 Eng. dial.
► FUNK a black mood; a state of depression; irritation, bad temper; a fit of gloom → 1808 orig. Sc.
► GEE a fit of bad temper or sullenness → a1605 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
► GEOLTITUDES bursts of passionate temper, tantrums → 19C Eng. dial.
► GROUCH a fit of ill temper, sulkiness or sullenness; a grudge or complaint → 1895 Amer. sl.
► GRUMBLES, THE bad temper, sulkiness → M19 sl.
► GRUMPS, THE a bad temper or fit of sulking → 1835 colloq.
► HACKLE temper, dander → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► HARNESS temper; humour → 1838 Eng. dial.
► HEEGARY a rage, passion, high temper; a disturbance → 1902 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► INDIAN anger; a quick temper → 1897 Amer. dial.
► IRISH passion, anger, rage, fury, temper → 1902 Eng. & Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► ITALIAN temper, anger, fighting spirit → 1991 Amer. dial.
► LAG a humour, mood, temper; a state of excitement or high spirits → 1899 Sc.
► MONKEY ON ONE’S BACK anger or a bad temper → M19 sl.
► MOOCH bad temper → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► MOODY a bad temper or fit of sulking → 1969 Brit. sl.
► MOOR-BURN a fit of temper; an outburst of passion; a contest, dispute, strife → 1872 Sc.
► NANTY temper, ire; a drubbing, a scolding → 1935 Sc. sl.
► NEBBINESS shortness of temper, asperity → 1930 Sc.
► NODDLE the temper → 1843 Sc.
► OLD INJUN anger; a quick temper → 1893 Amer. dial.
► PADDY a temper; a rage; a tantrum→ 1894 UK sl.
► PADDYWACK ► PADDYWHACK a rage, a passion, a bad temper, a fit of sulking → 1899
► QUANDARY a fit of ill temper → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► RAISE a state of extreme bad temper; a frenzy → 1894 Sc.
► RAMP an outburst of temper; a violent mood → 1798
► RAN-TAN an ill temper → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► RAPTURE a fit of temper; a state of violent anger and excitement → 1835 Sc. & Eng. dial.
► RAT a bad temper → 1910s UK juvenile sl.
► RUSTINESS irritability, bad temper; also, restiveness → 1860 sl.,
► SHIT FIT a fit of temper; an angry outburst; a tantrum → 1957 sl., orig. US
► SHITTY a fit of temper; a tantrum → 1971 Aust. & NZ
► SHORT FUSE a quick temper → 1968 US sl.
► SOL ill temper; Shit On Liver → 1951 Aust. sl.
► STRAMULLION a fit of ill-humour or bad temper; a display of pettishness → 19C Sc.
► STREAK a fit of temper → 1904 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► STROP belligerence; peevishness; a fit of temper, a sulk → 1970 UK colloq.
► SULKS, THE a bad temper or fit of sulking → 1818
► TAKING a fit of petulance or temper; a dilemma; a sorry plight or condition → 1899 Eng. dial.
► TANT a rage, tamper → 1905 Sc. (Bk.)
► TANTRUM-FIT a fit of ill temper → 1870 Eng. dial.
► TAWM an ungovernable fit of temper → 1846 Sc.
► TEETH temper, disposition; spirit, mettle → 1905 Sc. obs. (Bk.)
► TEMPER-PIN disposition, temper → 1864 Sc.
► TETH temper, disposition; spirit, mettle → 1905 Sc. obs. (Bk.)
► TID a fit of ill-humour or temper → 1773 Sc.
► TIFF a slight outburst or fit of temper, pettishness, or ill-humour → 1727
► TIRRIT a fit of fear or temper; an ‘upset’, disturbance of one’s equanimity → 1597
► TIRRIVEE a fit of temper; a tantrum, rage, passion → 1813 Sc.
► TWIT a fit of temper or irritability → a1825 Eng. dial. obs.
► UGLIES, THE a fit of depression or bad temper → 1846 sl.
► UGLINESS bad temper; disagreeableness → 1889 Eng. dial.
► VAKE a fit of ill temper; a passion, a rage; a sudden, capricious freak; a vagary; a whim → 1857 Eng. dial.
► VEAG ► VEAGUE a strong burst of temper → 1885 Eng. dial.
► VEAK a fit of ill temper; a passion, a rage; a sudden, capricious freak; a vagary; a whim → 1857 Eng. dial.
► VEXNESS. bad temper → 1930s sl.
► VIAND mood, disposition; temper → 1905 Sc. (Bk.)
► WING-DING an outburst of emotion or temper → 1930s sl.
► WOBBLER an outburst of temper; anger, a fit of anger → 1942 sl., orig. US
NOUNS – PERSON
► CACAFUEGO a spitfire; a furious, fierce fellow; a braggart, a blusterer, a noisy bully; a very difficult or devilish person; one with a fiery temper → 1625 sl.
PHRASES
► ALL HORNS AND RATTLES said of a person displaying a fit of temper; belligerent, infuriated, enraged → 1945 US Western usage (Bk.)
► DON’T SHORT-PATIENCE ME don’t lose your temper with me; don’t make me lose my temper → 1933 Amer. dial.
► HE LOWERED HIS DOBBIN he lost his temper → 1900 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► HE’S LOST IT he’s in a bad temper → 20C sl.
► OUT FOR A PELTER in a very bad temper → 1860 obs.
► SHORT AS MARCHINGTON WAKE-CAKE used of a woman’ s temper → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
VERBS
► BE IN A FIKE to be in a bad temper → 1838 Sc,
► BE IN A PEAL to be in a temper → 1883 Eng. dial.
► BENNY to lose one’s temper → 2012 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► BE ON ONE’S METTLE to be in a bad temper → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► BLOW A FUSE to lose one’s temper or self-control; to become uncontrollably angry → 1949
► BLOW A GASKET to lose one’s temper or self-control; to become uncontrollably angry → 1946
► BLOW ONE’S CAP to get angry; to lose one’s temper → 1956 US sl.
► BLOW ONE’S CORK to get angry; to lose one’s temper → 1975 US sl. (Bk.)
► BLOW ONE’S STACK to lose one’s temper → 1990 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► BLOW ONE’S TOP to be or get angry; to lose one’s temper → 1928 sl.
► BUNG ON AN ACT to lose one’s temper and deliver a stream of obscenities or oaths → 1920s Aust. sl.
► CANKER to fret, to become peevish; to put into a bad temper, to sour → 1873 Sc.
► CAST A KITTEN to worry to excess; to succumb to one’s emotions; to lose one’s temper, often through worry or fear → 20C sl.
► CHUCK A CHARLIE to have a fit of temper → 1941 Aust. sl.
► CHUCK A SEVEN to lose emotional control, to become hysterical → 1899 sl.
► CHUCK A SIXER to become hysterical, to lose one’s temper → 1951 Aust. sl.
► CHUCK A SPAS ► CHUCK A SPAZ to lose one’s temper → 1990s Aust. sl.
► CLIMB THE RIGGING to become angry, to lose one’s temper → 1916 nautical sl.
► CRAB to cross; to put out of humour or temper; to irritate, to anger, to enrage, to provoke → a1400-50 obs.
► DANDER to anger, to rouse the temper → 1900 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► DO IN ONE’S BLOCK ► DO ONE’S BLOCK ► DO THE BLOCK to lose emotional control; to lose one’s temper; to be or get angry → 1907 sl., chiefly Aust. & NZ
► DO ONE’S BUN to lose one’s temper → 1981 N.Z. colloq. (Bk.)
► DO ONE’S FRUIT to lose one’s temper; to go crazy → 1970s sl.
► DO ONE’S LOLLY to lose one’s temper → 20C Aust. sl.
► DO ONE’S NANA to lose one’s temper; to be or get angry → 1966 sl.
► DO ONE’S NUT to be very angry, anxious, or upset; to lose one’s temper; to lose emotional control; to get worked up → 1919 sl.
► DO ONE’S SCONE to lose one’s temper with someone; to be or get angry → 1942 NZ sl.
► DO YOUR CRUET to lose your temper → 1975 Aust. sl.
► FLY OFF THE DEEP END to lose one’s temper → 1931 sl.
► FLY OFF THE HANDLE to lose one’s temper → 1825 orig. US
► FLY TO FLINDERS to lose one’s temper → 1942 Amer. dial.
► FRUMP to sulk, to be in a bad temper → 1693 obs.
► GET A PERSON’S SHIRT OUT to cause a person to lose his or her temper → colloq.
► GET IT UP ONE’S NOSE to lose one’s temper → 1960 sl.
► GET KITTENS to worry to excess; to succumb to one’s emotions; to lose one’s temper, often through worry or fear → 20C sl.
► GET OFF ONE’S BIKE to lose one’s temper → 1999 Aust. sl. (Bk.)
► GET ON LIKE A HOUSE ON FIRE to get on well with a new acquaintance → 20C Aust. sl.
► GET ONE’S AFRICAN UP to lose one’s temper → M19 US sl.
► GET ONE’S DANDER UP to become enraged or angry; to lose one’s temper → 1834
► GET ONE’S RAG DRAWN to lose one’s temper → 19C Eng. dial.
► GET ONE’S NIGGER UP to lose control; to lose one’s temper → 1902 US sl., offensive
► GET YOUR RAG OUT to lose your temper → 1956 UK sl.
► GET ZEBRAS to worry to excess; to succumb to one’s emotions; to lose one’s temper, often through worry or fear → 20C sl.
► GLUNDER to sulk, to be in a bad temper; to look surly → 19C Sc.
► GO BUTCHER’S HOOK to become angry; to lose one’s temper → 1918 Aust. & NZ colloq.
► GO CROOK ► GO CROOK ON ► GO CROOK AT to become angry (at); to lose one’s temper with; to upbraid, to rebuke → 1911 Aust. & NZ
► GO HOSTILE to lose your temper → 1998 NZ sl.
► GO MAGGOTY to lose one’s temper → 1915 NZ
► GO OFF CROOK to lose one’s temper → Aust. & NZ colloq.
► GO OFF ONE’S NANA to lose one’s temper → 2001 sl.
► GO OFF ONE’S PANNIKIN to lose one’s temper, to lose emotional control → L19 Aust. sl.
► HAND UP ONE’S FIDDLE ON THE DOOR-SNECK to be in a bad temper → 1900 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► HAVE A KITTY to worry to excess; to succumb to one’s emotions; to lose one’s temper, often through worry or fear → 20C sl.
► HAVE A PECK ON to be angry, to have a bad temper → 1968 Amer. dial.
► HAVE KITTENS to worry to excess; to succumb to one’s emotions; to lose one’s temper, often through worry or fear → 20C sl.
► HAVE KITTENS IN THE GRANARY to worry to excess; to succumb to one’s emotions; to lose one’s temper, often through worry or fear → 20C sl.
► HAVE ONE’S ASS IN A SLING to be in a bad mood or humour about something → 1993
► HAVE PISSED ON A NETTLE to be peevish or out of temper → 1902 sl. (Bk.)
► HAVE PUPS to worry to excess; to succumb to one’s emotions; to lose one’s temper, often through worry or fear → 20C sl.
► IKE to lose one’s temper → 2000s African-American sl.
► KEEP ONE’S HAIR DOWN to remain calm; to restrain one’s temper → 1968 Amer. dial.
► KEEP ONE’S HAIR ON to remain calm; to restrain one’s temper → 1885 Amer. dial.
► KEEP ONE’S WOOL to keep one’s temper → 1984 Aust. colloq. (Bk.)
► LOSE ONE’S BLOCK to lose your temper, to become angry, excited or anxious → 1916 sl.
► LOSE ONE’S COOL to lose one’s temper → 1995 US sl. (Bk.)
► LOSE ONE’S HAIR to lose one’s temper → 20C sl.
► LOSE ONE’S NANNY to lose one’s temper (nanny = head) → L18 UK sl.
► LOSE ONE’S RAG to lose one’s temper → 1959 Sc. sl.
► LOSE ONE’S WOOL to lose one’s temper → 1984 Aust. colloq. (Bk.)
► MOOCH to sulk; to be in a bad temper → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► NUT UP to lose one’s temper completely; to go berserk → 1970 sl.
► POP to lose one’s temper → L19 tailors’ sl.
► POP ONE’S CORK to lose one’s temper; to lose patience → 1950s sl.
► PUGGY with up: to bridle up; to show temper → 1896 Sc.
► RADGE to lose one’s temper → 1990s sl.
► RAIN ON to make suffer; to beat up; to lose one’s temper with → 1920s US sl.
► RISE AT A FEATHER to lose one’s temper easily → 1794 US
► ROIL to disturb in temper; to irritate, to make angry → M18
► SNAP ONE’S TWIG to lose one’s temper → 1984 Aust. colloq. (Bk.)
► SPIT THE DUMMY to lose one’s temper → 1999 Aust. sl. (Bk.)
► TAKE ONE’S SHIRT OFF to lose one’s temper → L19 sl.
► TAKE THE GRUMP to lose one’s temper; to become surly → 1875 Eng. dial.
► THROW A SHOE to lose one’s temper; to become over-excited; to make a big fuss → 1967 Amer. dial.
► THROW A WOBBLER to fly into a fit of bad temper or anger → 1942 sl., orig. US
► THROW A WOBBLY to fly into a fit of bad temper or anger → 1977 sl.
► TINE to lose one’s temper → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
Lexicophilia 