nervous nellie

plural nervous nellies

1. alternativeAlternative spelling of nervous Nellie.

plural nervous Nellies · alternative nervous nellie · alternative Nervous Nellie · alternative nervous nelly · alternative nervous Nelly · alternative Nervous Nelly

1. informalA person whose personality and behavior are characterized by worry, insecurity, and timidity.

   The captain is a nervous Nellie who can't make a decision without the approval of his protective aide-de-camp.

   1993 November 22, Richard Zoglin, “Hill Street Blues on Happy Juice”, in Time, TV review of "Bakersfield P.D.", archived from the original on 08 Apr 2008

   1 more example

   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."

   1925 January 19, “Gentlemen Asleep”, in Time, archived from the original on 01 Mar 2009

   Synonyms: jitterbug, nervous wreck, worrywart

plural Nervous Nellies

1. alternativeAlternative spelling of nervous Nellie.