Page 3 of 3

Re: Grounded!

Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 1:40 am
by dianel
Wikipedia:
"Stir crazy is a phrase that dates to 1908 according to the Oxford English Dictionary[1] and the online Etymology Dictionary. Used among inmates in prison, it referred to a prisoner who became mentally unbalanced because of prolonged incarceration. It is based upon the slang stir (1851) to mean prison. It is now used to refer to anyone who becomes restless from being stuck in one place too long with a similar meaning to cabin fever."

That's good, I've been using it correctly at least.

Re: Grounded!

Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 7:16 am
by snoopysue
dianel wrote:1 day to go!
Goin' stir-crazy here. (Where does that expression come from? I've heard it 'n used it for yonks, but never thought about its origin.)

At least it's cold and miserable outside. Think I'll stay in bed all day. Tomorrow I have to wash all my bedclothes, clothes I've been wearing, towels - 3 TIMES! Feeling tired already - I'm definitely staying in bed!


Isn't "Stir" a slang word for prison?

Re: Grounded!

Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 9:06 am
by SRD
http://dictionary.reference.com/ wrote:stir-crazy
1908, from stir "prison" (1851), probably from Start Newgate (1757), prison in London, later any prison (1823), probably from Romany stardo "imprisoned," related to staripen "a prison."