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#21911 03/09/2001 7:06 PM
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stranger
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My friend, born and raised in the Western US, spent a number of years living and working in the Eastern US. She uses the term, agita in conversation, as in, "That gives me agita." It obviously is derived from agitate. My question: Is this a common usage on the East coast? I've spent some time there and never heard it. I did see it in an article/interview published in a monthly magazine, used by Helen Hunt. It was the first time I'd seen it in print. What do you know about this word?


#21912 03/09/2001 7:19 PM
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I think its italian-- or at least a coruption of italian word. Its not uncommon in NY, and i am sure i have heard it in movies -- maybe even in TV shows like The Soprano's.

My understanding of the word is "heartburn" or "an upset stomach" ( in a more common idiom--It burns me up! ) rather than agitate-- but I could be wrong.


#21913 03/09/2001 7:31 PM
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(Helen) of troy has a handle on it.
It is a good word in many circumstances.
No definite or exact translation but :
Little Johnny's failing math could give Mom agita.
Your husband's being late for a big family dinner = agita
The boss makes unreasonable work demands = agita
The mechanic says the repairs will be $500 = agita
The policeman can't be talked out of a ticket = agita
A fight with your mother = agita
Trying to explain agita = agita!
{Buuurp! Oh,sorry! but that's better!}
wow



#21914 03/09/2001 8:30 PM
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I/ve never heard this word. How is it pronounced?


#21915 03/09/2001 8:34 PM
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like agitate-- only the last a is a schwa-- agita


#21916 03/09/2001 8:51 PM
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#21917 03/09/2001 8:59 PM
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The mechanic says the repairs will be $500 = agita

Even if the car is almost totalled? I think I'd be rather pleased.


#21918 03/09/2001 11:27 PM
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the car is almost totalled? I think I'd be rather pleased

No, no, dear heart $500 for a new headlight . Now THAT"s agita!
wow


#21919 03/10/2001 8:30 AM
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Love it. Can someone (wow?) give me some examples of how it's used so I can start using it?



The idiot also known as Capfka ...
#21920 03/10/2001 2:06 PM
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examples of how it's used so I can start
------------------------------------------------

You can get agita, dear Cap K, but you can also *give it.

So, say you assign a project to some Bright Young Thing(s);
you might say "Get this done right and on time or I will give you agita like you never had before.

To Boss: "The new project deadline is going to cause a lot of agita among the young folks."

To new client : "Don't worry we'll have you set up in no time! No cause for agita."

To repair tech concerning a recalcitrant machine : "This thing has a bad case of agita."

That any help?
wow




#21921 03/10/2001 4:37 PM
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Ta!



The idiot also known as Capfka ...
#21922 03/12/2001 8:10 PM
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To wow, jazzo, and Cap K - thanks for your responses to agita - the way my friend uses it, agita is more something an individual would own because of someone else's actions - your respones didn't cause me to have any agita! Thanks again - leblancl



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