Language Question

[omorka]

Is "hissy," or the long form "had a hissy fit," a regionalism? I don't have a problem putting it in Leonard McCoy's mouth, and I know better than to put it in Ianto Jones's, but would Kirk say it? Peter Venkman? Sheriff Jack Carter? Captain Jack Harkness? Douglas Fargo? Perfect Tommy? Elwood Blues?

My intuition is (starting with Kirk) no, yes, maybe if he was being ironic, maybe if he was being quaint, depends on where he went to grad school, no but he'd understand it if someone else used it, no. That implies that I think it's an East Coast/Southern regionalism and not used in the middle states, but possibly in southern California by transplants. I'm not sure that's right, though.

Comments

[princejvstin.livejournal.com]

I heard it all the time in NYC. Here in Minnesota...I can't recall anyone ever using it in my earshot.

[spinner-atropos.livejournal.com]

Hrm. I grew up with it in the northeast, and I'm pretty sure I hear it from my coworkers here in Indy, though we're all transplants so I'm not sure how useful that is.

In Cleveland last year we saw a giant gummy snake candy labeled "Big Fat Hissy Fit."

[fynarra.livejournal.com]

Used 'hissy fit' my whole life--'course I've been about every where.

Here you are: a website (http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/hissy-fit.html). Basically breaks down to starting over here and spreading thanks to the media.

[scarfman]

Shatner!Kirk wouldn't say "hissy fit", but Pine!Kirk totally would.

[spinner-atropos.livejournal.com]

*imagines LaMarche!Shatner using it and has a gigglefit at work*

[redneckgaijin.livejournal.com]

I've seen it used by New Yorkers and Southerners and Californians alike. It's a word that seems like a ruralism, but evades being pinned down as such. As a regionalism... no, not so much.

Movie Venkman would, RGB Venkman wouldn't (but both Rays and neither Egon). Sheriff Carter... probably. Captain Jack, definitely not.

And I agree with scarfman; Shatner-Kirk wouldn't say it (the word being beneath the dignity of a Starfleet officer), but Pine-Kirk would (fuck dignity, it's my world and you all just live in it).

[lottery-vee.livejournal.com]

I'm English and I've been known to say 'had a hissy fit'. I'm not sure if that helps you though.

[omorka.livejournal.com]

That's more or less what Fynarra said, but thanks.

Just out of curiosity, may I ask how you ended up on this entry?