stir-crazy

See also: stir crazy

English

Alternative forms

• stir crazy

Etymology

First attested around 1925, from prison slang stir (“jail or prison”). See [1] and [2].

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

Adjective

stir-crazy (comparative more stir-crazy, superlative most stir-crazy)

1. (slang) Of a prisoner, mentally unbalanced due to prolonged incarceration.
2. (slang, by extension) Restless, uncomfortable, or impatient due to inactivity or confinement.

   After so many days of rain, the kids started to get a bit stir-crazy.

See also

• cabin fever