batty etymology

Etymology

The word "batty" has two distinct etymologies:

  • From "bat":
    • Origin: Old English "bæt" (meaning "bat")
    • Derived from the Proto-Germanic "battō" (also meaning "bat")
  • From "bats":
    • Origin: Middle English "bats" (meaning "mad")
    • Derived from the Old French "bachir" (meaning "to beat")
    • The association with madness stems from the belief that bats were harbingers of doom and caused insanity.

Meaning

1. Relating to bats: * Bat-like * Connected with or characteristic of bats

2. Crazy, eccentric, or illogical: * "She's a bit batty, but I love her anyway." * "That plan is batty!"

Origin of the Crazy Meaning

The origin of the crazy meaning is unclear. Some speculate that it may have arisen from:

  • The erratic behavior of bats in flight
  • The association of bats with darkness and superstition
  • The belief that bats were carriers of rabies and other diseases

Over time, the term "batty" became synonymous with strange, unstable, or irrational behavior.

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