jimjams

[ jim-jamz ]

/ ˈdʒɪmˌdʒæmz /

extreme nervousness; jitters.

Origin of jimjams

1540–50; gradational compound based on jam¹. Cf. flimflam, jingle-jangle, etc.

Think o' the disgrace o' gettin' the jimjams in a foreign port.

With the Battle Fleet |Franklin Matthews
They give me the jimjams, the willies, and I want to get away.

A Yankee in the Far East |George Hoyt Allen
To present it a painter would have to inebriate himself, spill his colors all about the place and wind up with the jimjams.

The Ship Dwellers |Albert Bigelow Paine
Jimjams has just as much chance of winning this race as Mr. Jeremy has of being Archbishop of Canterbury.

Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 98, 19 April 1890 |Various

But to look upon 'em as they appeared in the cars, would 'ave give that consciencious but onsophisticated inspector the jimjams.

Yellowstone Nights |Herbert Quick

jimjams

/ (ˈdʒɪmˌdʒæmz) /

a slang word for delirium tremens

a state of nervous tension, excitement, or anxiety

informal pyjamas

C19: whimsical formation based on jam 1