A screw loose

Posted by ESC on May 25, 2009 at 15:41

In Reply to: A screw loose posted by Vair on May 25, 2009 at 08:47:

: "Had there not been something crooked about Lizzie -- a screw loose, as people say -- she would never been within his reach." The Eustace Diamonds, Anthony Trollope, 1873.

: Given the "as people say", perhaps this is an early use of the common phrase? I see no entry for "a screw loose" and just a couple comment references, so thought you might like this, and/or be able to supply more history. Thanks for a great site.

That's interesting. I wouldn't have thought the expression was that old.