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Crazy, bonkers, mental, crackpot, insane, demented, lunatic, nutty, mad, crackers, gaga, wacko, touched, cuckoo, deranged.
Many words describing the same idea, all with dark histories, and most slip off the tongue with ease.
So where do these words come from?
(A thread)
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Many words describing the same idea, all with dark histories, and most slip off the tongue with ease.
So where do these words come from?
(A thread)
1/
Note: The purpose of this thread is to think a bit about language; how we use it, particularly when it comes to people struggling with mental health, neurodivergence, developmental differences or simply those who do not fit into the narrow band of 'normal'.
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3/ CRAZY
The word 'Craze' originally meant something diseased or damaged. In particular the cracking of an inanimate object. From the 17th century Crazy would mean a person who is cracked, damaged or broken.
The word 'Craze' originally meant something diseased or damaged. In particular the cracking of an inanimate object. From the 17th century Crazy would mean a person who is cracked, damaged or broken.
4/ BONKERS
'Bonk' has had the meaning of hitting a surface and doing damage. It is an incredibly old 'echoic' word; a sound effect. It is associated with the head, and the sound a concussive blow makes through the skull. Bonkers therefore means one who has been hit in the head.
'Bonk' has had the meaning of hitting a surface and doing damage. It is an incredibly old 'echoic' word; a sound effect. It is associated with the head, and the sound a concussive blow makes through the skull. Bonkers therefore means one who has been hit in the head.
5/ MENTAL
The Latin 'Mentalis' and earlier 'Ment' means mind but also soul. (It probably originates from a term also meaning face, chin or mouth) It became a formal word used in medicine: 'mental illness' 'mental disorder' thus the word itself became synonymous with being 'sick'.
The Latin 'Mentalis' and earlier 'Ment' means mind but also soul. (It probably originates from a term also meaning face, chin or mouth) It became a formal word used in medicine: 'mental illness' 'mental disorder' thus the word itself became synonymous with being 'sick'.
6/ CRACKPOT
This one originated as two words 'Crack' and 'Pate' around 1898. The word therefore literally meaning to have a broken head.
This one originated as two words 'Crack' and 'Pate' around 1898. The word therefore literally meaning to have a broken head.
7/ INSANE
Formed as the counterpart to 'sane'. This comes from the Latin 'Sanus' meaning healthy, but later also clean (the origin of the words sanitary and sanitation). To be insane is therefore to be unhealthy and unclean of mind, body and soul.
Formed as the counterpart to 'sane'. This comes from the Latin 'Sanus' meaning healthy, but later also clean (the origin of the words sanitary and sanitation). To be insane is therefore to be unhealthy and unclean of mind, body and soul.
8/ DEMENTED
Again this uses the Latin 'mente' for mind. The prefix 'de' means to undo, unravel or take apart. Therefore someone who is demented is someone who's mind has been undone or removed.
Again this uses the Latin 'mente' for mind. The prefix 'de' means to undo, unravel or take apart. Therefore someone who is demented is someone who's mind has been undone or removed.
9/ LUNATIC
This one is probably the most well known. 'Luna' from the Latin for moon. The belief being that the moon could have adverse effects on people's minds. Lunatic thus means one who is controlled by the moon.
This one is probably the most well known. 'Luna' from the Latin for moon. The belief being that the moon could have adverse effects on people's minds. Lunatic thus means one who is controlled by the moon.
10/ NUTTY
A nut, a food with a tough shell but a soft interior, has long been associated with the human skull. In 1908 we see 'off one's nut' to describe someone who is 'out of their head'. This becomes shortened to 'nut'. Therefore someone who's brain is tender or broken.
A nut, a food with a tough shell but a soft interior, has long been associated with the human skull. In 1908 we see 'off one's nut' to describe someone who is 'out of their head'. This becomes shortened to 'nut'. Therefore someone who's brain is tender or broken.
11/ MAD
This was born from an old English word 'Gemæd' which itself comes from a Germanic word meaning 'to make worse' or 'abnormal'. The word therefore points to someone who's mind is abnormal and causes issues for others.
This was born from an old English word 'Gemæd' which itself comes from a Germanic word meaning 'to make worse' or 'abnormal'. The word therefore points to someone who's mind is abnormal and causes issues for others.
12/ CRACKERS
Nothing to do with the food originally, but about being 'cracked' and therefore broken, or damaged. The connection to the food (which crumbles) adds to this meaning. Someone who is visibly broken or breaks easily.
Nothing to do with the food originally, but about being 'cracked' and therefore broken, or damaged. The connection to the food (which crumbles) adds to this meaning. Someone who is visibly broken or breaks easily.
13/ GAGA
From the French 'Gateur' meaning bed wetter. This became associated with the elderly and senility. Changed to 'Gaga' it also sounds like the sound an infant makes when babbling. Thus it means someone who is unable to care for themselves; a baby, or senile old person.
From the French 'Gateur' meaning bed wetter. This became associated with the elderly and senility. Changed to 'Gaga' it also sounds like the sound an infant makes when babbling. Thus it means someone who is unable to care for themselves; a baby, or senile old person.
14/ WACKO
From 'Wacky' and therefore the onomatopoeic sound word 'Whack', meaning to hit hard on the head. This became popular around the late 1800's. Again the implication of a head injury.
From 'Wacky' and therefore the onomatopoeic sound word 'Whack', meaning to hit hard on the head. This became popular around the late 1800's. Again the implication of a head injury.
15/ TOUCHED
From the phrase 'Touched in the head' used in the late 1800's. Often associated with those who returned from war and in response to injuries from projectile and explosive warfare. Again the association is with someone who has experienced serious brain damage.
From the phrase 'Touched in the head' used in the late 1800's. Often associated with those who returned from war and in response to injuries from projectile and explosive warfare. Again the association is with someone who has experienced serious brain damage.
16/ CUCKOO
From the imitation of the bird and thus it's name. 'Cloud cuckoo land' was used by Aristophanes way back in 400BCE to describe a fantasy land. Also the cuckoo is a 'brood parasite' that kills the young of others. Its call is also famously repetitive and irritating.
From the imitation of the bird and thus it's name. 'Cloud cuckoo land' was used by Aristophanes way back in 400BCE to describe a fantasy land. Also the cuckoo is a 'brood parasite' that kills the young of others. Its call is also famously repetitive and irritating.
17/ DERANGED
The old French 'desrengier' means to take out of order or to move out of a set pattern. Deranged therefore means to have disorder, mess and chaos, but in one's mind or brain.
The old French 'desrengier' means to take out of order or to move out of a set pattern. Deranged therefore means to have disorder, mess and chaos, but in one's mind or brain.
