When did we start using "nut" or "nutcase" to mean crazy? And why?

Also, is it strictly American slang, or do you folks across the pond say it, too?

The Word Detective has an article on this.

If I remember correctly, there's a plaque somewhere around Bastogne, the site of the Battle of The Bulge, wherein a general is euphamistically quoted as saying, "Nuts" to a German order to surrender. I wonder what he really said? And when offering someone cashews or pecans, I normally say, "Nuts to you?"

The following is a quote from Red oaks and black birches: the science and lore of trees by Rebecca Rupp, Storey Communications, 1990, ISBN 0-88266-620-7.

quote:

The Walnut, once Anglicized, was co-opted for a large number of culinary and medicinal uses. According to the medieval Doctrine of Signatures, which ascribed therapeutic properties to plants based on their resemblance to specific parts of the human body, the walnut with its skull-like shell and brain-like kernal was a likely treatment for ailments of the head. Ground walnut shell was thus prescribed for headwounds, and walnut meats for headaches and mental illnesses. Somewhat less logically, walnuts were said to ward off lightning, witchcraft, and epileptic fits. The head-like aspects of the walnut led to the nineteenth-century use of the word "nut" to mean head and the accompanying "off one's nut," to mean crazy; and to the twentieth-century phrase "to use one's nut," which meant to think, "nuts," which meant cuckoo, and the associated "nut-case," who more often than not ended up in a "nuthouse."

(By the way, the comma in "off one's nut," doesn't belong there, but that's the way it was printed.)

The OED Online records that one of the meanings of nut was "head" since 1841:

quote:

colloq. a. The head.

1841 H. J. MERCIER & W. GALLOP Life in Man-of-War 185 Who ever thought you had so much poetry in that woolly nut of yours.

b. off one's nut: out of one's mind, insane, crazy (see also quot. 1860).

1858 H. J. BYRON Mazeppa (BL Add. MS 52977 H) V. f. 78, If this goes on much longer I shall cut In the vernacular she's ‘off her nut’. 1860 Slang Dict. (ed. 2) 182 To be ‘off one's nut’, to be in liquor [1873 ed. 4 to be crazed or idiotic].

That was in print, of course. It may be much older in oral use.

Tinman

Nuts!

Here's one review of General MacAuliffe's famous utterance. (Full disclosure: a school friend of mine is the general grand-nephew.)

Round our way when I was a kid, the verb 'to nut' was a synonym for 'to headbutt'. I don't hear it so much now. Was it a regionalism or does anyone else recognise it?

In the USA, "getting one's nuts off" is a euphamism for sexual release. Same there, Cat?

Round our way when I was a kid, the verb 'to nut' was a synonym for 'to headbutt'.

According to Partridge, nut as a verb has two meanings: (1) To curry favour with; to court; to ogle: ca.1810–1890. And (2) To punch on the head, gen. v.t.: boxing: from ca.1870. osb.

The second meaning might have survive on in some regions. Doesn't seem to much of a stretch. Nut as a noun meaning head is used in 1850 by Mayhew: "Jack got a cracker (i.e., a punch) on his nut."

The term nuts meant 'a delightful thing, practice, experience' from 1589 until 1790; colloq. after that until 1850. And now obsolete.

quote:

It may be much older in oral use.

Does this have any relation to "getting one's nuts off" is a euphamism for sexual release as Asa mentions?

Sorry - couldn't resist.

jheem, that link was just great! It always amazes me how in really important times of war, often translation problems occur.

Yes, the use of nuts can always cause a little twittering, as I did once in front of a room of undergrads when I mentioned the amount of nitrates in weiners...a stupid use of words, I must admit! Likewise, I was working late on Friday along with a colleague (and it had been a bad day besides)...so my colleague "I could go for a nice stiff one tonight." Ahhh...of course, she meant drink, but we collapsed in hysterics!

quote:

The term nuts meant 'a delightful thing, practice, experience' from 1589 until 1790; colloq. after that until 1850. And now obsolete.

Oddly enough, jheem, I've recently heard kids saying, "It's the nuts" with just that meaning! La plus ca change....

quote:

Originally posted by Caterwauller:

quote:

It may be much older in oral use.

Does this have any relation to "getting one's nuts off" is a euphemism for sexual release as Asa mentions?

I should have been clearer. When I said oral, I meant "spoken," not ... you know.

But, yes, of course it does. You should listen to Asa. And yes to Cat's meaning, also.

The OED lists 7 definitions for the verb nut (8 if you count 4 as 2 definitions). Not all of them are current.

1. intr. To look for or gather nuts. Cf. NUTTING n.1 1a. Now rare.

2. trans. slang. To curry favour with; to court, flatter, ingratiate oneself with (originally as part of a deception or swindle). Obs.

3. trans. To fix, fit, or fasten by means of nuts; (also) to provide with a nut or nuts. Also fig.

4. trans. U.S. slang.

a. To castrate.

b. b. Of a man: to have sexual intercourse with (a woman).

5. trans. slang (chiefly Austral. and N.Z.). To work out through careful thought; to puzzle out; (also) to think up.

6. trans. Brit. slang. To butt with the head. Also: to strike on the head.

7. trans. slang (chiefly Irish English (north.)). To kill. Also with off.

It has many meanings as a noun and an adjective. Here are two of them:

quote:

nut, n

12. colloq.

d. slang (Brit. and Irish English). Used with the in various phrases expressing the act of head-butting a person; esp. in to stick (also put) the nut on (or in). Cf. NUT v. 6.

14. coarse slang (orig. U.S.).

a. A testicle. Usu. in pl.

b. In various phrases designating the achievement of sexual satisfaction, as to get one's nuts off, to bust a nut, to pop one's nuts, etc. Also in extended uses. Cf. ROCK n.1 2i.

c. In various other phrases.

That should satisfy your lascivious little mind, CW.

Tinman

This message has been edited. Last edited by: tinman,

Tinman, said, "That should satisfy your lascivious little mind, CW."

But just in case it doesn't, one more note in that vein, in response to Kalleh when she said, "I was working late on Friday along with a colleague (and it had been a bad day besides)...so my colleague "I could go for a nice stiff one tonight." Ahhh...of course, she meant drink, but we collapsed in hysterics!"

Pfizer Corp. (NYSE: PFE) and Pepsi Cola Bottling Group (NYSE: PBG) announced a joint venture under which Viagra will soon be available in liquid form. The active ingredient, a modified form of Viarga, goes by the chemical name mycoxaphalen.

The cola will be marketed as a power beverage suitable for use as-is or as a mixer, under the name Mount 'n Do. The proposed ad campaign will use the slogan "Pour Yourself A Stiff One" and will recommend that you "drink it straight up".

Well . . . the mind is never completely satisfied (of course) but I have thoroughly enjoyed your posts, Tin and Hic. Hehehehehe!

quote:

mycoxaphalen

ROFLMAO

In reference to previous posts here; I have heard of the verb to 'nut' being used in the context of headbutting and I have lived in a wide variety of locations in Britain where it has always been understood. In Glasgow they also referred to headbutting as 'the Glasgow kiss'.

I would certainly understand the reference 'to get your nuts off' in relation to sex but I usually hear the phrase as 'to get your rocks off'. Either way it is a word with a wide variety of uses, which is just as well as I hate any kind of conventional nut product to eat (must be careful what I say here). Many people are amazed that I don't eat things like peanuts etc. but that then gives me the chance to point out that the only nuts I like are my own

quote:

the only nuts I like are my own

So long as you aren't the only one who likes them all's well.

quote:

Originally posted by Cat: ROFLMAO

Please see the "jokes" thread under Wordplay.

quote:

So long as you aren't the only one who likes them all's well.

I like to think that my nuts are the only variety that are universally popular, at least amongst women. Self-delusion can be a wonderful thing at times.