nervous Nellie
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English[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
Noun[edit]
nervous Nellie (plural nervous Nellies)
- (informal) A person whose personality and behavior are characterized by worry, insecurity, and timidity.
- 1925 January 19, “Gentlemen Asleep”, in Time[1], archived from the original on 1 March 2009:
- Political opponents doubted his capacity, referred to him as "too nervous, too worried a little man," and remarked that his Senatorial colleagues used to refer to him humorously as "Nervous Nellie."
- 1993 November 22, Richard Zoglin, “Hill Street Blues on Happy Juice”, in Time[2], TV review of "Bakersfield P.D.", archived from the original on 8 April 2008:
- The captain is a nervous Nellie who can't make a decision without the approval of his protective aide-de-camp.
Synonyms[edit]
- jitterbug, nervous wreck, worrywart; see also Thesaurus:worrier
Related terms[edit]
- nervous-Nellie (adjective)
See also[edit]
- Alibi Ike, Dapper Dan, doubting Thomas, Gentleman Jim, gloomy Gus, good-time Charlie, plain Jane, Silent Sam
Further reading[edit]
- “nervous Nellie”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.