Plum crazy or not???

Posted by James Briggs on July 22, 2004

In Reply to: Plum crazy or not??? posted by Lotg (OZ) on July 22, 2004

: I've often heard in American movies, the guy from out of town could use a term like 'plum crazy'. This use of the word 'plum' is quite different to say 'plum job'.

: If someone does a 'plum job', then it's a good job. But if someone's 'plum crazy', then he's really crazy.

: I would assume the use of 'plum' in plum job is of English origin. However, the 'plum crazy' version sounds US based to me.

: Can anyone clarify both the basis for the term 'plum crazy' and the origin of using the word 'plum' to describe something as being 'very or really' whatever?

'A guess. 'Plum' in the crazy sense is to do with 'plumb' - ie lead. Lead poisoning can make you demented, among other things.
'Plum' in the other sense is perhaps related to the use of the word as a slang expression for £1000 - 'a plum' was a thousand pounds. Why it became a slang word I don't know!

• Plumb loco Brian from Shawnee 22/July/04
  • Plumb loco R. Berg 22/July/04
    • Ahhhh, I was just plumb wrong Lotg (OZ) 22/July/04
      • Or - was that Pancho???? Lotg (OZ) 22/July/04