estar en Babia

Spanish

Etymology

Literally, “be in Babia". Babia is a town in the north of the province of León, Spain. Historically, the monarchs of León would holiday in the town. When asked of the whereabouts of the absent monarch, a reply would be "he is in Babia”. Over the centuries, the phrase came to mean being absent-minded.

Verb

estar en Babia (first-person singular present estoy en Babia, first-person singular preterite estuve en Babia, past participle estado en Babia)

1. (idiomatic, Spain) to have one's head in the clouds; be absent-minded