Extremely emotional and out of control, laughing or crying in an uncontrolled way, or extremely funny in an over-the-top manner.
From Greek 'hysterikos' (of the womb), from 'hystera' (womb). The ancient Greeks thought uncontrolled emotion came from a wandering womb, and the term stuck even after the medical theory was disproven.
The word 'hysterical' literally comes from the Greek word for womb because ancient doctors blamed women's emotions on their reproductive organs—this single word carries centuries of sexism baked into its origin, even though we've debunked the science.
Derives from Greek 'hystera' (uterus); medicalized women's emotions as pathological from antiquity through the 19th century, dismissing women's legitimate concerns as irrational illness.
Reserve for genuinely uncontrolled emotional response in any person. Better: 'overwrought', 'uncontrolled', or specific emotion like 'furious' or 'panicked'.
["uncontrolled","frantic","furious","panicked","overwrought"]
Recognize that psychiatric dismissal of women's symptoms persists today; women's pain and concerns are systematically undertreated due to this legacy.
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