Are you learning Spanish? Example Sentences. They are generally not mentally ill. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins She was a basket case after the car wreck. I see basket case as analogous to charity case, closet case, hardship case, textbook case, or nutcase. Originating in World War I for a soldier who had lost all four limbs in combat and consequently had to be carried in a litter (“basket”), this term was then transferred to an emotionally or mentally unstable person and later to anything that failed to function. They said he'd been a basket case for almost two months by the time he jumped. This word was widely used in the 80s. “Affect” vs. “Effect”: Use The Correct Word Every Time. This country is a financial basket case, a country so broke that it should be a perfect warning to lenders. Of American-English origin, this term initially denoted a soldier who had lost all four limbs during the First World War —as stated in the following from the Cleveland Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio) of Saturday 18th January 1919: You should accept this job offer since this is your first job and that organization is a real basket case. "Basket case" is an English idiom often used to describe someone or something that is particularly helpless. an inconsolable person. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. The Dictionary.com Word Of The Year For 2020 Is …. A person unable to function, esp. So is Phoenix finally ready to drop the basket-case act and play nice in Hollywood? ket case noun-informal -a person or thing regarded as useless or unable to cope. The term basket case denotes someone, or something, that is incapable of functioning normally. Define basket case. Basket case definition is - a person who has all four limbs amputated. Originally this referred to soldiers who had lost arms and legs and had to be carried by others. a person who has had all four limbs amputated. Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Anything that does not function properly. Enrich your vocabulary with the … Learn more. Hannah would be a basket case if she only knew the extent of Katie.s issues! Billie Joe's guitar is a Fernandez Stratocastor which he calls 'Blue' . ; Knowing that he is such a basket case, how could she accept to marry him? One that is in a completely hopeless or useless condition. Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021, Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition It is military slang dating from World War I. Dictionary.com Unabridged basket case n. Slang One that is in a completely hopeless or useless condition: a man who became a basket case after his divorce; a country that is an economic basket case. "I think the Guardian should avoid the term 'basket case'," says a reader. Etymology: The term originated from WWI British English, indicating a soldier missing both his arms and legs, who needed to be literally carried around in a litter or "basket." 1 a country or an organization whose economic situation is very bad: A few years ago, the country was an economic basket case, but now things are different. Sign in; Sign up; Question Dude. because of overwhelming stress or anxiety,” the OED says. A man who became a basket case after his divorce; a country that is an economic basket case. Basket Case song meaning This song is a vivid description of emotional instability. 1 a country or an organization whose economic situation is very bad: A few years ago, the country was an economic basket case, but now things are different. "No, Lacy, what I meant is that whatever is wrong—" "So you're a basket case. “Capital” vs. “Capitol”: Do You Know Where You’re Going? Today I found out how the phrase “basket case” came to mean “someone who is insane.” At first, “basket case” didn’t mean someone who was crazy. 2 a person who is slightly crazy and who has problems dealing with situations: ‘How did the interview go?’ ‘Terrible! Although it was originally associated with a physical connotation, the phrase has expanded in use to define anyone who is in a precarious mental state. a person who is suffering from extreme nervous strain; nervous wreck, a person who has had both arms and both legs amputated, someone or something that is incapable of functioning normally, The stress of moving twice in one year left her a basket case, The republics of the former Soviet Union are economic basket cases, The Return of Joaquin Phoenix: Oscar Buzz for ‘The Master’. One that is in a completely hopeless or useless condition. I’m sure they thought I was a complete basket case.’ basket case (Noun) A country in a difficult economic or financial situation. Definition of basket case someone who can't function well due to anxiety/stress or something similar. A lot of people say American … basket case definition in English dictionary, basket case meaning, synonyms, see also 'basket chair',basket clause',basket hilt',Basket Maker'. (idiomatic, slang, potentially offensive) One made, The term originated from WWI, indicating a soldier missing both his arms and legs, who needed to be literally carried around in a. "No, Lacy, what I meant is that whatever is wrong—" "So you're a basket case. In this case, a basket is referring to an order that has at least a certain amount of securities in it and also has a minimum dollar amount, all executed at the same time. In the sense of “an amputee,” this term is perceived as insulting. For example, The stress of moving twice in one year left her a basket case, or The republics of the former Soviet Union are economic … The introductory verse features only Armstrong and his guitar. During the middle of the first chorus the rest of the band joins in, with Tré Cool adding fast tom fills and explosive transitions and Mike Dirnt adding a bass line that is reminiscent of the vocal melody. “Inauguration” vs. “Swearing In”: What’s The Difference? A basketcase is often independent and isolationist, in other words, anti-social. What Is The Difference Between “It’s” And “Its”? Instead, it referred to someone who had a physical disability. A person or thing too impaired to function. What's the meaning of the phrase 'Basket case'? [Slang; second half of 1900s], The Most Surprisingly Serendipitous Words Of The Day. basket case synonyms, basket case pronunciation, basket case translation, English dictionary definition of basket case. basket case n 1. a person who is suffering from extreme nervous strain; nervous wreck 2. Synonym: emotional cripple She was a complete basket case the morning of her wedding. Copyright © 2020 LoveToKnow. All Rights Reserved. "By 'basket case' is meant a soldier who has lost both arms and legs and therefore must be carried in a basket. His first novel, Tourist Season, was named "one of the ten best destination reads of all time" by GQ Magazine, He is the author of eight other best-selling novels, Double Whammy, Skin Tight, Native Tongue, Strip Tease, Stormy Weather, Lucky You, Sick Puppy, and Basket Case.Together Hiaasen's novels have been translated into 21 languages, and the London Observer has called … (slang, potentially offensive) One made powerless or ineffective, as by nerves, panic, stress or exhaustion. Last edited on Aug 19 2012. ; Origin a person who is helpless or incapable of functioning normally, especially due to overwhelming stress, anxiety, or the like. Some characteristics of a basketcase included emotional instability, weirdness, and constant isolation from mainstream society. Either way, this quiz on Spanish words for animals is for you. 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