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."
Wikipedia foundation.
nervous nellie — Someone excessively worried or apprehensive is a nervous Nellie (or Nelly) … The small dictionary of idiomes
nervous Nellie — ☆ nervous Nellie n. [orig. used of high strung racehorses: in ref. to old Nell, jocular name for a nag] Slang a timid person who is easily upset and is hesitant to act … English World dictionary
nervous nellie — ˈnelē, li noun Usage: usually capitalized 2d N Etymology: nervous + Nellie, diminutive of Ellen, Eleanor, or Helen : a timid or ineffectual person the nervous Nellies, who always come into a bull market too late, pushed prices too high Burton… … Useful english dictionary
nervous Nellie — n. any nervous person, male or female. □ Sue is such a nervous Nellie. She should calm down. □ Relax! Don’t be such a nervous Nellie … Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions
nervous-Nellie — adjective Characterized by worry or anxiety; having a weak, insecure personality. Woody Allen plays his most frazzled variation on the Woody we know best: a nervous Nellie urban neurotic kvetching his way through life as a means of avoiding it.… … Wiktionary
Nervous Nellie — An investor who isn t comfortable with investing and the risks associated with it. Nervous Nellies have very little risk tolerance. As a result, their investment returns are likely to suffer because they will only invest in very low risk, low… … Investment dictionary
nervous Nellie — a timid person who lacks determination and courage He is a nervous Nellie and is afraid of most of the other students in the school … Idioms and examples
nervous Nellie — or nervous Nelly noun (plural nervous Nellies) Usage: often capitalized 1st N Etymology: from the name Nellie Date: 1926 a timid or worrisome person … New Collegiate Dictionary
Nervous Nellie — {n.}, {informal} A timid person who lacks determination and courage. * /I say we will never win if we don t stop being Nervous Nellies!/ … Dictionary of American idioms
Nervous Nellie — {n.}, {informal} A timid person who lacks determination and courage. * /I say we will never win if we don t stop being Nervous Nellies!/ … Dictionary of American idioms
