chippiness

He argued that the Germanic tribes that overthrew it were motivated, amongst other things, by "chippiness".

Such frightful oiks 2006

There _should_ have been a luncheon-party in this Act, with Dr. RELLING and MÖLVIK, who would have been in a state of comic "chippiness," after his excesses overnight.

Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 100, May 30, 1891 Various

On careful examination, the lamb-chops turned out satisfactorily -- "chippiness" was an epithet that could not justly be applied to them, -- and Mr. Briggs began to eat them leisurely, flavoring them with a glass or two of fine port out of a decanter which he had taken the precaution to bring down from the dining-room sideboard.

Thelma Marie Corelli 1889

Peel's contributions, steeped in some kind of chippiness - not clear whether real or fake - were illuminating given how influential a figure he was.

British Blogs 2009

A keen teenage footballer of some ability he reckons it was the only other sport he was any good at, Murray is an admirer of Ferguson, although they have never met, and says he has taken inspiration from his perceived chippiness.

Relaxed Andy Murray finds a kindred spirit in Sir Alex Ferguson 2011

There was chippiness, there was shoving and there wasn't much to get the home crowd going.

Giants Stunned at Home by the Eagles—Again Aditi Kinkhabwala 2011

Perhaps some of them had tried and failed to get in themselves, and their disappointment or chippiness over this leads them to discourage their own pupils from making a similar attempt.

The Sutton Trust Report is wrong: Universities are still at fault… « My Liberal Democrat Political Ramblings… 2009

Over the course of the first five games in this season series there's been a noticeable up-tick in physicality, chippiness and just the general distaste that Washington and Tampa Bay have for each other.

Capitals vs. Lightning: no love lost between teams 2011

All week, resentful officers and other critics of Cameron's protege have been accused of myopia, chippiness, insularity, complacency, a peasant-like fear of fresh thinking and a morally disgusting unwillingness, on the part of US-haters, to accept that this veteran of gun-enforced policing and supporter of capital punishment should not be imposed on our own useless – if less lethal – force.

Overrated and overpaid but not over here, thanks | Catherine Bennett 2011

Bear in mind, Scott Gomez's Game 2 response to a similar brand of chippiness was to get in a fight with his team nursing a lead, further bringing the crowd to life.

Jason Chimera didn't feel like fighting 2010