discombobulation
nounEtymology From discombobulate + -ion.
1
Humorous An embarrassing feeling that leaves a person confused.
- Prophet of o'er-population, your ingenious calculation, Causeth discombobulation only in the anxious mind1890 September 20, “The Ravenstein”, in Punch; or, The London Charivari, page 138:
- This quality or state of not having your act quite together lacks its own word in the dictionary. It is something short of discombobulation, but the mild, mental chafing is irritating enough to demand a remedy.2012 June 8, Ron Lieber, “Planning a Financial Tuneup”, in The New York Times:
2
A confused or disorderly state.
- What has changed since the time of Looney Tunes is the discombobulation of characters' faces. Eyeballs constantly bulge beyond normal proportion to show shock or jubilation; cheeks shrink, sag or even bend in shame, fatigue or anger. Each emotion is heightened, overemphasized with cubist contortions.2005 July 8, Ned Martel, “Manically Happy Campers and Rich but Vicious Cats”, in The New York Times:
- Derived terms
- pericombobulation