Idioms · 6 entries
Not facing reality; in a dream world.
From the Celtic folk belief in fairies.
‘Cloud cuckoo-land’ derives from a comment made by was coined by the 4th century BC Greek playwright Aristophanes in the whimsical and extravagant play The Birds. First used in English in the 1820s, in the United Kingdom.
USA, late 19th century.
Britain, 17th century. From Shakespeare’s Hamlet, as ‘though this is madness, yet there is method in it’.
Britain, 20th century.
Entry 1
Meaning Not facing reality; in a dream world.
Usage In Ireland, but also spreading to other countries.
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Entry 2
Meaning An imaginary idealistic state where everything is perfect. It is usually used with reference to someone who has an overly optimistic and unrealistic belief.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 3
Meaning A mental hospital.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 4
Meaning In a frenzied manner.
Usage Worldwide, but not particularly common.
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Entry 5
Meaning Odd actions that appear meaningless but are done for a good reason.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 6
Meaning Someone who lacks intelligence.
Usage Worldwide, but more common in Britain than elsewhere.
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