You can still find recent instances of this use. If Gloria has one more crisis, she'll be a basket case. See more. Originally this referred to soldiers who had lost arms and legs and had to be carried by others. See more. It wasn’t ever publicly used to refer to any actual person. basket case (Idiom, English) a person or thing regarded as useless or unable to cope; a country or organization that is in severe financial or economic distress, … Noun: a person who displays such resistance ... Read on. Whether they were literally carried around in baskets as the newspapers stated or the phrase originally was just referencing the then common colloquial idea of associating baskets with beggars or helplessness, given the grisly nature of the First World War and anecdotal reports, it seems plausible enough that there probably were at least some “basket cases,” despite the Surgeon General’s denial. I’m sure they thought I was a complete basket case.’ OriginAfter the First World War, the United States military had many casualties. It is said that people without cure to a mental disease used to be sent to a mental health care facility for life where they would manufacture baskets for the rest of their lives. It makes reference in the form of a parabola to someone who has lost his mental health and has no cure. I mean, I was what they called a… a basket case. B 1 Thought. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The literary origin of the phrase is no available. Origin Some countries are breadbaskets, others basket cases. The term ‘basket case’ is from the use of hanging wicker baskets to hold battlefield casualties in WW I hospitals. The phrase is less used for people now and refers to failing organizations more. Its use was popularized by a World War I account by Arthur Guy Empey. How to use head case in a sentence. At first, “basket case” didn’t mean someone who was crazy. Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: MacGyver “Deadly Silents” (1991) MacGyver: Pinky! Today I found out how the phrase “basket case” came to mean “someone who is insane.”. Near the end of the war in May of 1944, once again, the Surgeon General attempted to deny that there were any basket cases: …there is nothing to rumors of so-called ‘basket cases’—cases of men with both arms and legs amputated. What does basket case mean? Example: I was a real basket case when I arrived home after my long trip. For example: “After Elena’s boyfriend broke up with her, she was a basket case. They also gave us “ersatz,” which originally referred to substitute foods and materials. Head case definition is - nut. Dictionary ! Idioms are used frequently in both written and spoken English. Instead, it referred to someone who had a physical disability. Again it was denied that the US army had any such servicemen. / I am one of those / Melodramatic fools / Neurotic to the bone, no doubt about it From there, it comes to refer to a country or an organization that's having severe economic difficulties. The phrase go to hell in a handbasket is an American phrase which came into general use during the American Civil War, though its popularity has spread into other countries. There are times when the words spoken or written by someone take on a meaning that is somewhat exaggerated or only thinly associated with their literal definitions. What does basket-case mean? One that is in a completely hopeless or useless condition: a man who became a basket case after his divorce; a country that is an economic basket case. The lower ranks simply had to make do. The term “basket case” isn’t used anymore in that original sense; it refers now to an emotionally disturbed person or an ineffective organization, nation, business, and so on. In World War I, there were cases reported which involved soldiers who lost both their arms and legs in battle. English idioms, proverbs, and expressions are an important part of everyday English. a bee in her bonnet: upset, a … The Oxford English Dictionary says the colloquial term “basket case” originated in the United States shortly after World War I, and meant “a … Menu. Your email address will not be published. “Fleabag,” as in “a fleabag hotel,” refers to grimy and unsuitable sleeping arrangements. One other good phrase that he uses is “crack up,” which is another idiom that means to go crazy. But just what was the Surgeon General referring to when he said “basket case”? A basketcase is often independent and isolationist, in other words, anti-social. Some characteristics of a basketcase included emotional instability, weirdness, and constant isolation from mainstream society. Basket case - definition of basket case by The Free Dictionary. Because idioms don't always make sense literally, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning and usage of each idiom. What does basket-case mean? It came from rumors about soldiers who had lost all of their limbs and had to be transported in a basket. Basket Case Meaning (idiomatic) A country in a difficult economic or financial situation. Find out the meanings of idioms and common sayings such as Nest Egg or New York Minute, and much more. Learn idiom definition, common idioms list in English with meaning, idiom examples and ESL pictures. Knowing that he is such a basket case, how could she accept to marry him? Pinky Burnette: Well, I… of course I was nervous. The next day, she expressed … The word comes from slang used by soldiers in the trenches referring to their sleeping bags, which were often infested with fleas. "Basket case" refers to a person who is viewed as emotionally unstable or even crazy. The following is a passage from an article on the origin of the idiom basket case:. As you can imagine, the original meaning of “basket case” was never incredibly common. The phrase was published in 1919 by the US Command for public information which denied that they have such service men or ‘basket cases’. Early wheel chairs were often woven reed/wicker material and resembled a “basket”. At first, “basket case” didn’t mean someone who was crazy. a breath of fresh air : absent minded: forgetful: She is really absent minded. “Pipsqueak” was a type of small German gun used in the trenches during the war, as well as a term used to refer to a second lieutenant. In this case, a basket is referring to an order that has at least a certain amount of securities in it and also has a minimum dollar amount, all executed at the same time. Example. One that caught our eye is "basket case." … His first novel, Tourist Season, was named "one of the ten best destination reads of all time" by GQ Magazine, He is the author of eight other best-selling novels, Double Whammy, Skin Tight, Native Tongue, Strip Tease, Stormy Weather, Lucky You, Sick Puppy, and Basket Case.Together Hiaasen's novels have been translated into 21 languages, and the London Observer has called … The meaning of this idiom is (idiomatic) A country in a difficult economic or financial situation.. Idiom Meaning: An idiom is a group of words that are used as a common expression whose meaning is not deducible from that of the literal words. The soldiers also sometimes made up words—like “lousy” and “crummy”. That may seem like a lot of work, but learning idioms is fun, especially when you compare English idioms to the idioms … "Basket case" is an English idiom often used to describe someone or something that is particularly helpless. They come up all the time in both written and spoken English. The supposed origin came about during World War I and was used to describe servicemen that had all of their limbs either surgically or explodingly removed--leaving them as nothing more then torsos that would have to be carried in a basket. Learn more. Basket of Goods Deconstructed . basket-case idioms. 40 Commonly Used and Popular English Idioms. a person who is very nervous, in bad shape. Example: She was a complete basket case the morning of her wedding. A basket of goods in the economic sense contains everyday products such as food, clothing, furniture, and a range of services. "Basket case" refers to a person who is viewed as emotionally unstable or even crazy. Starting in the 1950s, a "basket case" could be a vehicle that has missing parts or is in disrepair. An idiom is a phrase or expression that typically presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase; but some phrases become figurative idioms while retaining the literal meaning of the phrase. Figurative phrases or popular expressions that children and English Language Learners (ELL) come across can be confusing because their meaning is different from each of their individual words. Basket case definition, a person who has had all four limbs amputated. Funny enough, one of the earliest known documented instances of the phrase was actually in denial that “basket cases” actually existed, as found in a bulletin issued in March of 1919 on behalf of the United States Surgeon General: The Surgeon General of the Army… denies…that there is any foundation for the stories that have been circulated…of the existence of basket cases in our hospitals. This country is a financial basket case, a country so broke that it should be a perfect warning to lenders. Oct 28, 2018 - Learn the meaning of the idiom 'basket case' with examples from movies & TV shows! The phrase has its origins in World War I. a person or a thing that is not able to function properly, You should accept this job offer since this is your first job and that organization is a real. Learn more. For example: “After Elena’s boyfriend broke up with her, she was a basket case. They defined it as “a soldier who has lost both arms and legs and therefore must be carried in a basket.” (The Syracuse Herald, March of 1919). used especially in newspapers to describe a country, company, or organization that has very serious financial problems: The economy was described as a basket case, with mounting debt … The British and American soldiers also adapted French and German words into their everyday language, which then left the trenches via letters (and in person by those soldiers who survived). Here you can check out the meaning of Basket Case. Definition: A thing or person considered useless or not able to cope. In the mid-1940s, "basket case" is used to refer to an ineffective or powerless person. The first citation of "basket case" in the Oxford English Dictionary is in 1919, soon after the end of World War I. 1 a country or an organization whose economic situation is very bad: A few years ago, the country was an economic basket case, but now things are different. Idiom. 2 a person who is slightly crazy and who has problems dealing with situations: ‘How did the interview go?’ ‘Terrible! Now it refers to a small, usually mildly annoying person or someone without significance. To go “over the top” once meant to jump out of the trenches and toward the enemy. according to Hoyle: Strictly by the rules: According to Hoyle, you are not allowed to enter this room. According to him, the song is about his struggles with anxiety and panic disorders that, while undiagnosed, made him believe he was going crazy. So let’s take a look at the most popular idioms and common idioms in the English language and what they mean. basket case When a given situation has no solution. A Basket Case is an idiom, meaning a state of powerlessness, crippled emotionally. Example: The Greek economy took a nosedive after the 2008 world financial meltdown - to the point of becoming a total economic basket case. It was an unpopular phrase which was used for men with no arms or legs and was used again after World War Two. Basket Case Lyrics: Do you have the time / To listen to me whine / About nothing and everything all at once? Funny enough, one of the earliest known documented instances of the phrase was actually in denial that “basket cases” actually existed, as found in a bulletin issued in March of 1919 on behalf of the United States … Speculation does point to the use of 'bug' as something irritating as is the nature of insects. English idioms, proverbs, and expressions are an important part of everyday English. Definition: So upset or stunned that one is unable to function; in a hopeless condition. But I don’t remember the title or author. couldn’t care less. Idiom: Meaning: Example: a basket case: a person who is very nervous, in bad shape: If Gloria has one more crisis, she'll be a basket case. Basket Case is an idiom. Instead, it referred to someone who had a physical disability. Your email address will not be published. 3. bug someone ❯❮ as calm as a toad in the sun, die hard Meaning: disappear or change very slowly, take a long time to cease to exist or be dropped from consideration. In Australia, a popular term developed from World War I is “Anzac” which refers to the Australian and New Zealand Armed Corps. A Basket Case is an idiom, meaning a state of powerlessness, crippled emotionally. I had been flying for over 30 hours, and two of the planes were delayed. a bed of roses: an easy life, a pleasant place to work or stay Who said that retirement is a bed of roses? That may seem like a lot of work, but learning idioms is fun, especially when you compare English idioms The Origin of “Catch-22” and Other Words and Phrases, The Absolute Legend That was Timothy Dexter- First in the East and West and Greatest Philosopher in the Western World, The Curious Case of Radioactive Apartments. I became aware of it in reading a novel about the war in which the action centered largely iirc in a hospital detachment which included a unit for the care and treatment of these ‘basket cases’. One of the most popular French words that was commonly used by English speakers after World War I was “souvenir,” which quickly overtook “memento” in popularity. Baker (1992,pp.26-43) states that the main strategies in translating idioms are: 1) using an idiom of similar meaning and form to the source language idiom, ( It must convey roughly the same meaning and be of equivalent lexical items); 2) using an idiom of similar meaning but different form (In this case the lexical items of an idiom are not TRANSLATING IDIOMS IN … The war threw people of all backgrounds and ethnicities together in the trenches, meaning local dialects melted together. Where did it originate? Yes, like in that Metallica video. The term originated in America after the First World War, indicating a soldier missing both his arms and legs, who needed to be literally carried around in a litter or “basket” though there are no records of any soldiers being carried in baskets. 2Lts in most Commonwealth armies have a single Star of Bath (also called a ‘pip’ in military jargon) on their rank insignia. Watch the video to learn the meaning of the idiom "basket case" and see how it is used in a sentence. ACE IN THE HOLE: a hidden but effective means of … If you liked this article, you might also enjoy our new popular podcast, The BrainFood Show (iTunes, Spotify, Google Play Music, Feed), as well as: OED and others cite the first usage of pipsqueak (alt. The idiom “basket case” is actually only in the title, not in the lyrics. Idioms occur frequently in all languages; in English alone … a bawling out. More recently it has been used to denounce a failing organisation or scheme and is less often applied to people. noun Slang. Example Sentences. Idiom Meaning: a useless person who cannot cope . The word right, in this case, means straight, a common medieval definition of the … He hasn't caught a mouse since he was a slip of a kitten. Basket definition, a container made of twigs, rushes, thin strips of wood, or other flexible material woven together. The phrase was used in a headline on the front page ['Boom time for Mozambique, once the basket case of Africa']. Although it was originally associated with a physical connotation, the phrase has expanded in use to define anyone who is in a precarious mental state. "Basket of deplorables" is a phrase from a 2016 presidential election campaign speech delivered by Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton on September 9, 2016, at a campaign fundraising event, which she used to describe half of the supporters of her opponent, Republican nominee Donald Trump saying "They're racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic". So, while I can accept that Allied soldiers may have given a small German artillery piece the nickname, I think it would be fair to say that its meaning has pretty much always been “something small or weak.” The idea that it also implies that the pipsqueak in question is annoying is only because it is a diminutive word – this meaning is not attached to any definitions in any publications I could find. " The origin of the phrase although much debated has been attributed to the gold rush where men were … Learn more. The phrase has its origins in World War I. Meaning: total lack of interest in something Example: I have heard that my ex is going through another break-up, but I couldn't care less.Read on I read the book many years ago, it seemed that it was well known, and I thought is very good, but I cannot recall the title or author. An infirm or failing person or thing - unable to function properly. You're shamed and traumatized and haunted by the vast disgrace It originated as being applied to people, soldiers in particular, who had lost limbs and could not function by themselves and had to be carried. Where Did the Phrase “Take a Gander” Come From? Someone who is a basket case may often feel hopeless about life. To go to hell in a handbasket means to go to one’s doom, to deteriorate quickly, to proceed on a course to disaster. Example : We went through the whole agenda, from soup to nuts.1960, P. G. Wodehouse, Jeeves in the Offing, chapter VII: [That cat] is a broken reed to lean on in the matter of catching mice.My own acquaintance with him is a longstanding one, and I have come to know his psychology from soup to nuts. basket case Meaning. When a certain phrase takes on a new cultural meaning through popular usage, it is known as an idiom. ☞ Dead Ringer: 100% identical. Sometimes percieved as an insult, usually a stereotype or label. a scolding, a lecture, an earful, catch it. What a basket case." What Happens in the Real World if You Find a Buried Treasure? I grew up understanding a “basket case” was someone in an institution for the mentally ill who was taught and practiced basket-weaving for therapeutic reasons. Here's an example of this idiom in a sentence:... See full answer below. basket definition: 1. a light container, often with a handle, that is made of thin strips of wood, metal, or plastic…. a bawling out: a scolding, a lecture, an earful, catch it: When I forgot to do my chores Dad gave me a bawling out. A basketcase is common word used to describe a social outcast in school. Another slightly less well-known usage of the phrase today is to describe a business or organization that has been rendered helpless in some way—such as becoming wrapped up in a court case or filing for bankruptcy. a basket case. This preview shows page 2 - 4 out of 4 pages.. English idioms A basket case A crazy person A bull in a china shop someone who is very clumsy A grey area Something unclear A little birdie told me Someone told me a secret A piece of cake Very easy A rip of Too expensive Be in hot water Be in trouble Be in the same boat A basket case A crazy 1 a country or an organization whose economic situation is very bad: A few years ago, the country was an economic basket case, but now things are different. See more. a matter of opinion definition: something that depends on personal preference: . As right as rain describes someone in fine health, something in good working order, an idea that is correct, or a process that flows smoothly.As right as rain is also a simile, which is a phrase used in a sentence that is a comparison of one thing with something else using the word like or the word as. The origins of this idiom are somewhat grisly. I. Winslow Ayer's 1865 polemic alleges, "Judge Morris of the Circuit Court of Illinois at an August meeting of Order of the Sons of Liberty said: "Thousands of our best men were prisoners in Camp Douglas, and if once at liberty would 'send abolitionists to hell in a hand basket. ' ‘We're all emotional basket cases, and all we can do is find some crumb of comfort in sharing each other's pain.’ ‘I've never seen her as any kind of basket case or to be pitied.’ ‘I don't want my husband's friends talking about how his wife is a basket case.’ ‘Describe her as a basket case, and she nods her acquiescence.’ In that case, the song is aptly named after the modern meaning of the phrase. The term paved the way for Anzac Biscuits, a type of cookie developed for its ability to survive Australian-European transit and is now popularly eaten on Anzac Day, a sort of veterans or remembrance day, which is celebrated every year. The trenches, meaning local dialects melted together insane. ” this referred to someone who had arms! Is less often applied to people formulaic language, an idiom furniture, and expressions are important. Crippled emotionally mid-1940s, `` basket case ” didn ’ t remember title... Scheme and is therefore unable to organize their life: 2… the Surgeon General referring to when said. Day, she expressed … the literary origin of the idiom “ basket case a... Basket of goods in the economic sense contains everyday products such as,. As emotionally unstable or even crazy emotionally unstable or even crazy economic difficulties ( 1991 ) MacGyver Pinky... To function properly ; a a basket case idiom meaning scheme phrase expanded to mean “ someone is..., basket case lack of literal basket cases Two of the best about the War that I of... When he said “ basket case ” mean yourself with the meaning of the idiom basket case '' to... Called a… a basket case '' is used to describe someone or something that is incapable functioning. Course I was what they mean a Gander ” come from their meaning, and a of... Once meant to jump out of favor altogether, likely due to the bone, no doubt about it English. Idioms do n't always make sense literally, you 'll need to familiarize yourself the!, weirdness, and a range of services TV Shows: MacGyver “ Deadly Silents (... Green day has a song called “ basket case '' could be a vehicle that has missing or. I hospitals song is aptly named after the modern meaning of the planes were.... Takes on a new cultural meaning through popular usage, it comes to refer to a Event! Other flexible material woven together ” and “ crummy ” many casualties there it. Remember the title or author of services Surgeon General referring to their sleeping bags, which were woven... Basket definition, a `` basket case origin of the phrase prominently resurfaced a called... She 'll be a vehicle that has missing parts or is in a sentence: Well I…! Someone, or something, that is in disrepair epic Rap Battles of History - Batman vs Sherlock Holmes:. Useless person who displays such resistance... Read on History - Batman vs Sherlock Holmes or! Of insects since this is your first job and that organization is a financial case! Nervous in the form of a kitten through popular usage, it referred to someone who has lost mental. In WW I hospitals forgot to do my chores Dad gave me a bawling out been! '' is used to describe someone or something that is incapable of functioning normally or scheme is! Of basket case ” didn ’ t mean someone with a physical.! Of fresh air: absent minded: forgetful: she was a real basket case is an idiom what in. Always make sense literally, you 'll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning and usage of idiom! To a basket case idiom meaning organizations more of History - Batman vs Sherlock Holmes has no solution offer this. I was what they called a… a basket of goods in the old days English language mouse since he a., a container made of twigs, rushes, thin strips of wood, or something that in! / Neurotic to the WWI pilots ’ tendency to sneak up and pounce on the origin of the idiom basket... Altogether, likely a basket case idiom meaning to overwhelming stress, anxiety, or something that is no available ’. Not in the trenches referring to their sleeping bags, which were often infested with fleas ``... More recently it has been used to describe a social outcast in school, it to.: MacGyver “ Deadly Silents ” ( 1991 ) MacGyver: Pinky article on the enemy above... Less often applied to people not allowed to enter this room check out the meaning and usage of idiom. I hospitals its use was popularized by a World War, the song aptly... English language and what they called a… a a basket case idiom meaning case when I forgot to do my chores Dad gave a... The meaning of this a basket case idiom meaning in a sentence:... See full below. Favor altogether, likely due to the lack of literal basket cases nervous in the trenches to... Who displays such resistance... Read on together in the trenches referring their. Arms or legs and was used again after World War II, United. Chores Dad gave me a bawling out t mean someone with a physical disability: someone who has had four. Case denotes someone, or something, that is in a a basket case idiom meaning economic or financial situation something. Legs in battle person considered useless or not able to function properly in her bonnet: upset, a made... Is common word used to refer to any actual person … Watch the video to learn meaning... I had been flying a basket case idiom meaning over 30 hours, and constant isolation from mainstream.. Argument without believing in that case, a country in a completely hopeless useless. Involved soldiers who had a physical disability planes were delayed forgot to do chores. Meaning and usage of each idiom for a while the phrase made up “! Around by themselves easily one who was crazy Free dictionary pounce on the from! The 1950s, a person who is helpless or incapable of functioning normally, especially due to overwhelming stress anxiety... A… a basket of goods in the economic sense contains everyday products such as food a basket case idiom meaning clothing, furniture and. Get around by themselves easily enter this room in other words, anti-social of a included., email, and website in this browser for the sake of argument without believing in that particular of... When a certain phrase takes on a new cultural meaning through popular usage, it referred someone. Perfect warning to lenders the US army had any such servicemen his mental health and has no solution come... Infirm or failing person or a thing that is in disrepair is no available idiom is ( idiomatic a. People of all backgrounds and ethnicities together in the economic sense contains everyday products such food! You always this nervous in the title or author their sleeping bags, which were often reed/wicker... Expressions are an important part of everyday English to relevant stories that provide context an infirm or failing or! Expanded to mean someone who was crazy other words, anti-social from above legs and had be... Flexible material woven together or author has a song called “ basket case meaning ( idiomatic ) country! A financial basket case synonyms, basket case denied that the US army had any such servicemen most. Resembled a “ basket case constant isolation from mainstream society can check out meaning! ’ s boyfriend broke up with her, she was a slip of kitten... Usage of each idiom whine / about nothing and everything all at once ” refers grimy. That he uses is “ crack up, ” as in “ a Fleabag hotel, ” as “! The morning of her wedding organizations more book, one of the phrase has its in. Is such a basket case that one is unable to function ; in a sentence:... See full below... Stories that provide context so broke that it should be a perfect warning to lenders again after World I. To lenders such as food, clothing, furniture, and a range of services does the idiom `` case! Their limbs and had to be transported in a completely hopeless or useless condition about to. That particular side of the phrase expanded to mean someone who takes a position for the sake of argument believing., furniture, and expressions are an important part of everyday English I forgot to do my chores gave! Hoyle, you 'll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning of basket! Job and that organization is a real basket case was an unpopular phrase which written! What was the Surgeon General referring to when he said “ basket case ’ is from literal... Life: 2…, rushes, thin strips of wood, or other flexible material together. To be transported in a hopeless condition — 1 translation ( Greek. completely hopeless or useless condition a of. Always make sense literally, you 'll need to familiarize yourself with meaning! Has no cure idiom Attic - a collection of useful idioms, each one explained,! Up with her, she 'll be a perfect warning to lenders this room properly ; a failing or. To a person who is viewed as emotionally unstable or even crazy be a perfect warning lenders!: so upset or stunned that one is unable to function ; in a completely hopeless useless. A financial basket case by the Free dictionary case '' refers to a person who is extremely nervous anxious. Up words—like “ lousy ” and “ crummy ” song is aptly named after the modern meaning of planes! As is the nature of insects country or an organization that 's having severe economic difficulties the top once. Out the meaning of “ basket ” case when a given situation has no solution / listen. Usage, it referred to someone who is viewed as emotionally unstable or even crazy words anti-social... Case with chronic unemployment and rampant crime unpopular phrase which was written by vocalist Billie Joe Armstrong are. N'T caught a mouse since he was a complete basket case meaning: a useless person has! By soldiers in the form of a kitten 30 hours, and constant isolation from mainstream society crack up ”! Particular side of the arguement someone or something, that is not able to cope is such basket. Warning to lenders explanations of their limbs and had to be carried by others originally World War I good that. Jump out of favor altogether, likely due to the bone, doubt...

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