case of the dropsy

A fictitious "condition" characterized by continually dropping things from one's hands. It is a play on the term "dropsy," which was formerly used to denote the condition now known as edema (or oedema). I've broken four or five plates since I started work. I guess I've got a bad case of the dropsy today. Did you just drop something else? Geez, you've got a case of the dropsy all right! A: "That ball only hit you directly in the hands—how the heck did you manage to drop it?" B: "Yeah, kid, you've got a case of the dropsy!" C: "Sorry, Coach."