The first known use of the word “crazy” was in 1566. Two antonyms of the word crazy are realistic and reasonable.
As someone who has a mental illness, I don’t like it when people use the term loosely to describe someone else. I often use the word to describe myself as some of the things I have done were crazy. However, I wasn’t not too acceptable when I heard the word used to describe myself or others.
I think I would much rather someone say that I have a mental illness than to say I am crazy. However, at the same time, since the stigma for mental illnesses still runs rampant, maybe I should settle for the word crazy.
I recently had a conversation with someone who has a mentally ill relative and she had told had told her kids not to use the word the word crazy because it wasn’t nice. Is the word not nice?
So, today, I decided to look the word up that is used so often to describe so many things. I wanted to know if using the word crazy to describe someone with a mental illness is accurate.
Well, they are! I could still argue that it is not a “nice word”. However, I guess I can’t blame people for using the word correctly.
Merriam-Webster defines “crazy” (pertaining to how it is being used in this blog) as:
- being out of the ordinary
- distracted with desire or excitement
Examples given of how to use the word are:
- a hospital for crazy people
- He’s been acting kind of crazy lately.
- There are a lot of crazy drivers on the streets.
- You are crazy to have paid so much for this car.
- You would be crazy not to accept their offer!
- What a crazy thing to do!
Well, after evaluating the word, I would have to say that I am definitely crazy. However, with this definition, I would have to argue that everyone is at least a little bit crazy! I know that everyone has at least done something that could be viewed as crazy.
I decided a long time ago that I was not going to let it bother me when someone called me crazy, especially when they didn’t know I have a mental illness. However, it still does upset me sometimes when people use the word loosely and in a way to define someone. I guess I shouldn’t as I have already stated we are all a little crazy.