The Rice University Neologisms Database

The frenzy experienced by a person who is worried, anxious, apprehensive, or too excited about an event that is to happen in the near future. Fork out is analogous to the utensil fork, with which food is eaten. The shape of the sharp prongs on the fork is comparable to the personality of an anxious, on edge person. It is also similar to the appearance of such a character. For example, the prongs are representative of hair standing on end when one is shocked or stressed. Fork out is used to calm one down and put everything in perspective. It is easily understood and makes the worried person realize how they are acting and blowing the situation out of proportion.