| Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993. |
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| hysterics, histrionics (nn.) |
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| Hysterics are any of a range of uncontrolled emotional outbursts, perhaps with fits of laughing or crying. The word is usually used in the plural, but it can take either a singular or plural verb (Hysterics is [are] hard to get under control by yourself). The noun histrionics also appears usually in the plural, but it too can take either a singular or plural verb. It means “theatrical performances,” usually in the singular, as in He’s made a considerable study of American histrionics, but its far more common meaning is “theatrical outbursts, melodramatic behavior produced usually for effect,” as in When she couldn’t get her way, her histrionics were something to behold. | 1 |
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| | | The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. Copyright © 1993 Columbia University Press. |
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