Comments | omorka: Language Question

omorka

Language Question

Jul 14, 2009 04:01

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 ( Read more... )

writing, language

Comments 8

princejvstin July 14 2009, 09:09:45 UTC

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

spinner_atropos July 14 2009, 10:49:24 UTC

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 July 14 2009, 13:31:58 UTC

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

Here you are: a website. Basically breaks down to starting over here and spreading thanks to the media.

scarfman July 14 2009, 14:42:47 UTC

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

spinner_atropos July 14 2009, 17:34:31 UTC

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

redneckgaijin July 14 2009, 16:15:31 UTC

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).