The origin and birthplace of the term "heebie-jeebies" is surprisingly a comic strip. However, in the beginning, the term was not spelled the same way as it is today: instead of "heebie-jeebies", it was formerly written "heeby jeebys". Cartoonist Morgan "Billy" de Beck used the term in one of his cartoons published in the New York American. Morgan's cartoon character said: "You stupid beef - why don't you take that stupid look out of your frying pan - give me the heeby jeebys!" (New York American, October 26, 1923) Shortly after its appearance, "heebie-jeebies" began to spread across the country and even the world. Shortly after the term first appeared, "heebie-jeebies" began appearing in advertisements such as radio ads, newspapers, and even store windows. “Heebie-jeebies” began to mean more than just a scary feeling. Several advertisers have used this term to describe a feeling of seedy unease. “Do you have the heebie-jeebies?” Don't worry, all you need are our LAXACOLD COLD BREAKERS!!! (Mexia Daily News, October 1924) Sometimes the term was simply abbreviated to "The Heebs", as in "This ...