Crazy as a Loon

This is not a loon. It is a Canada goose
at the Walker Art Museum.*

I was recently wondering where the expression "crazy as a loon" came from. Here's what I found.

Loons are interesting waterfowl. I can't recall ever seeing one until I moved to Northern Minnesota. They have a distinctive call, and some unusual habits so that their easy to recognize when you're out by the lake. 

The expression "crazy as a loon" is thought to have originated in the 19th century. The word "loon" comes from the Middle English word "loun," which meant "a lout, idler, rogue." By the 18th century, the word "loon" had come to be used to describe someone who was crazy or foolish. 

The connection between loons and madness may have come from the bird's erratic behavior. Loons are known for their loud, haunting calls and their tendency to dive underwater for long periods of time. They can also be aggressive, and have been known to attack people who get too close to their nests.

In addition to their erratic behavior, loons were also associated with the moon. The word "lunatic" comes from the Latin word "luna," which means "moon." In the Middle Ages, people believed that the phases of the moon could affect people's mental health. This belief led to the idea that people who were crazy were "moonstruck," which may have also been the impetus behind werewolf stories.

Some say that the combination of loons' erratic behavior and their association with the moon led to the expression "crazy as a loon." This expression is still used today to describe someone who is crazy or foolish.

Here are some other expressions that have a similar meaning to "crazy as a loon":

• Mad as a hatter
• Crazy like a fox
• Nutty as a fruitcake
• Wacky as a fruit bat
• Out of your tree
• Out of your gourd
• Not playing with a full deck

Do you have a favorite expression to describe people who are a little off their rocker?

*Photo courtesy Gary Firstenberg. Sculpture in background by Claes Oldenburg