Squirmish

I think it embarrassed us a little when the Russians shot the fellow down and we denied that he was there, and the President later had to identify that as a "cover story". I remember the words, even. It made me feel a little squirmish.

Source: wiktionary

“Ah!” resumed Stebby, “you have not known Put as long as I have. He had rather see a fight or a squirmish any time than not.” “Skirmish,” said Freeman. “Squirmish, I said,” retorted Stebby, “and yet, Put is really — well, Put is really at heart you know” “A coward,” said Put.

Source: wiktionary

Usage shifted from formal to less formal with each new generation. Words themselves changed. Why, I wonder, did two old soldiers both use "squirmish" rather than "skirmish" line? (Robert Norman says of Wounded Knee confrontation: "We were ordered to make a ‘squirmish’ line around those Indians standing there.")

Source: wiktionary

Or ask Sarah Palin, who last year created a controversial neologism in refudiate and yesterday wondered if the situation in Libya is a war or a “squirmish,” (a rather apropos malamanteau of “squirm” and “skirmish,” both of which seem, in fact, to be occurring in and about Libya). These verbal blunders give ammunition to her political opponents and may help scuttle her as-yet-to-be-determined presidential bid.

Source: wiktionary