Squits

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

  1. A sudden onset of diarrhea; an abrupt attack of loose or watery stools; slang term for temporary digestive distress marked by frequent bowel movements
  2. Informally describing a bout of intestinal trouble resulting in repeated loose motions; referring to episodes of gastrointestinal upset with urgent need for relief; used for instances of passing frequent soft stools
  3. Denoting the experience of acute loose bowel movements; colloquially referring to diarrhea or an urgent period of watery defecation; slang for having multiple quick and uncontrollable trips to the bathroom

Etymology: This term traces back to a dialectal English usage where it referred to a small, sudden discharge of liquid, especially in a medical or bodily sense. It was often used historically to describe a brief, involuntary expulsion, such as a squirt or a quick flow of fluid, sometimes linked to symptoms of illness like diarrhea. The word likely originated as a plural form of "squit," which itself appears as a variant or diminutive of "squirt," a word recorded in English from the late 16th century. "Squirt" comes from imitative origins, echoing the sharp, sudden action it describes. Over time, "squit" and its plural "squits" came to be used in colloquial and regional speech to denote minor expulsions of liquid, often unpleasant or involuntary. By the 19th century, especially in British English, "squits" gained a more specific medical connotation, referring to diarrhea or a mild bowel disturbance. This narrowed sense made it a somewhat humorous or informal term for a common ailment. The plural form stuck even when referring to a singular episode, emphasizing the repetitive nature of the condition. Though less common today, the word remains a vivid example of how onomatopoeic roots can evolve into colloquial terms describing bodily functions, underlining the tactile and sensory origins of much everyday language.

Synonyms: diarrhea, loose bowels, runs, bowel movement, dysentery

Antonyms: constipation, regularity