Green’s Dictionary of Slang

twitchy, nervous.

[1838		Kemper Papers 20G1: Minard’s talking and Peake’s scribbling were enough to drive anyone ancey [DARE]].
1945		J. Leslie One Cried Murder 199: The psychologist could look at his Van Gogh and get antsy all by himself.
1952		C. Jonas Jefferson Selleck 160: At my age some men get just about as antsy as they ever do get.
1973		C. Gaines Stay Hungry 245: He had been antsy with presentiment for some time.
1981		J. Wambaugh Glitter Dome (1982) 289: I was getting antsy around here in the house all the time.
1985		(con. 1968) D.A. Dye Citadel (1989) 231: Steve and his clutch of antsy grunts.
1991		(con. 1920s) O.D. Brooks Legs 158: Boots was so antsy he missed an easy setup.
1999		K. Sampson Powder 412: This seemed to satisfy the antsy hedonist.
2000		Observer Screen 26 Mar. 11: Get your antsy passengers to their destinations.
2005		J. Stahl I, Fatty 122: Wall Street money was getting antsy.
2012		(con. 1980s) I. Welsh Skagboys 69: I’m getting a bit antsy.
2012		L. Berney Whiplash River [ebook] ‘I got antsy and I knew you weren’t gonna fuck me’.
2017		L. McInerney Blood Miracles : ‘You’re an antsy little fuck’.
2018		G. Disher Kill Shot [ebook] ‘Things any better with Jack? [...] ‘He’s getting antsy’.
2020		(con. 1991-94) W. Boyle City of Margins 190: It’s a short ride [...] and Nick is antsy the whole way.
2023		(con. 1962) J. Ellroy Enchanters 12: I was up-the-ass antsy.