The word "unhinged" comes from the Middle English word "unhengen," which means "to take off the hinges." The word "hinge" is derived from the Old English word "heng," which means "a joint." Thus, "unhinged" originally meant "to take apart at the joints."
The word "unhinged" has several related meanings:
The word is often used to describe someone who is behaving in a bizarre or unpredictable manner. It can also be used to describe a situation that is chaotic or out of control.
The use of "unhinged" to describe a person's mental state dates back to the 16th century. In 1599, the playwright William Shakespeare used the word in his play "Henry V" to describe a character who is "unhinged" by grief.
Over time, the word "unhinged" has come to be used more and more frequently to describe people who are considered to be crazy or irrational. It is now a common term used in both clinical and everyday settings.
