Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (also St Vitus, St Vitus activity) nerves, jitters, shakes [weak use of SE St. Vitus’s dance, chorea (Lat. a dance), which promotes spasmodic convulsions of the limbs].

1827		Morn. Post (London) 3 Apr. 3/5: [advert] The alcaline tincture of the colchicum seed [...] is an excellent remwedy for St Vitus’s Dance [...] without the aid of any nervous or tonic medicine.
1847		Yorks Gaz. 11 Dec. 4/3: Nothing but Galvanism can effectively cure [...] Nervous,Trembling, St Vitus’ Dance, Hysteria.
1905		‘Hugh McHugh’ You Can Search Me 27: ‘I’m dreadfully nervous about it.’ ‘I know, Bunch, I know just how you feel. I’m quite a bit to the St. Vitus myself.’.
1912		Ade Knocking the Neighbors 127: He was full of St. Vitus Activity and was always transferring a lot of Papers from one Pocket to another.
1927		H.C. Witwer Classics in Sl. 21: ‘Don’t let this guy bother you, kid,’ whispers one of ’em, whilst bandagin’ my hands which has suddenly fell a victim to St. Vitus’ dance.
1931		Ade Old-Time Saloon 70: They were all pop-eyed and seemed to have St. Vitus’ dance.
1946		D. Stivens Courtship of Uncle Henry 73: She looked like something the cat brought in, with red eyes and shaky hands like my old man’s when the St. Vitus’s dance got him.

2. (Aus.) pants [rhy. sl.].

2002

Pete’s Aussie Sl. Home Page 🌐 Saint Vitus Dance: the pants.