A hysterical fit is an exaggerated emotional outburst triggered by stress, pressure, and nerves, often attributed to women. The origin of the term is unclear, but it may come from the word “hysterical” or “histrionics.”
While a three-year-old’s irrational overreaction to a situation might be considered a tantrum, a similar response from an adult might merit the proper description of a “hysterical fit.” This is somewhat similar to a bout of conniption or a tantrum, but is generally applied to someone who has already demonstrated diva-like behavior or is very nervous. A nervous bride might have a hysterical fit after she’s told that the caterer has abandoned her seat, for example. While the situation may still be under control, the bride may be experiencing a temporary emotional outburst triggered by a combination of stress, pressure, and nerves. The term is attributed almost exclusively to women, although some men are known to have similar exaggerated reactions to distressing news.
The origin of the term is a bit of a mystery, although there are some working theories. Some believe it was inspired by the sudden, ferocious hisses a cat makes when cornered or tackled by a rival. The hiss might be accompanied by a convincing, if largely ineffectual, display of bared teeth and claws. A person having a hysterical fit could even influence such a provocative pose and show flashes of anger. There is little historical evidence to support this theory, but comparing a cornered animal to a person throwing a tantrum is often accurate.
Another theory is that “hissing” comes from the word “hysterical,” which originally applied to the irrational behavior displayed by women. Certainly a person in the throes of hysterics exhibits overly emotional or hysterical behavior, so the connection between the words seems plausible. The term is considered regional, however, so if it’s indeed slang for a hysterical outburst, it hasn’t become universally popular.
There is also the possibility that a hysterical attack derives from the same root as “histrionics”, which describes dramatic behavior considered inappropriate to the circumstances. People with histrionic personality disorder, for example, may exhibit the same lack of emotional control as someone with this type of attack. It is possible that the term became a shorthand for a histrionic outburst, although it is unclear whether or not a complex term like “histrionic” would enter the popular vernacular.
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