Lost your marbles

Posted by ESC on January 25, 2001

In Reply to: Lost your marbles posted by James Briggs on January 25, 2001

: : : can anyone tell me what the origin of lost your marbles is, please.

: : I couldn't find any information in my reference books. However, I am assuming that the origin would be in the child's game of marbles.

: Possibles:
: 1.Rhyming slang; 'marble halls = balls = testicles'
: 2. ditto. 'marbles & conkers = bonkers'
: 3. Slang for 'money' from 19C.
: Source: Cassel Dictionary of Slang

In the U.S., "losing your marbles" means losing your mind...suffering from mental illness.