go bananas

Meaning of the phrase:

Origin of the phrase:

Get ready to discover the origins and meaning of a popular phrase that has become an everyday staple in our language: “go bananas.” This phrase evokes images of monkeys swinging from vines, chomping down on the delectable fruit, and generally behaving in a wild and crazy manner. But have you ever wondered why we associate these yellow wonders with losing our minds? What is it about the humble banana that drove the world, well, bananas over this phrase? Let’s peel back the layers and explore the juicy details.

Let’s take a psychedelic trip down memory lane to the era of bell-bottoms and hippies – the 1960s; a time when the phrase “go bananas” spread like wildfire across college campuses throughout the United States. And it’s not hard to see why. With protests, activism, and a general sense of rebellion in the air, embracing your inner banana – the inherent wildness and enthusiasm we all possess when we want to make a difference and create meaningful change – was a common theme.

The evidence suggests that the phrase ‘go bananas,’ which we use today to mean going crazy, originated in colleges during the swinging sixties. Our pomologists (also known as banana scholars) searched every nook and cranny of the web in search of support for this theory. Finally, we discovered the earliest known example of the phrase’s use, complete with its definition, in the Weekly Gettysburgian on December 11th, 1964:

Somebody who’s a bit odd or maybe even crazy or what used to be “cracked,” is now “whacked out” or “gone bananas” or “flipped his helmet”.

So, why did bananas become the fruit of choice for describing insanity? Was it because of its bright color, odd shape, or ability to double as a booby trap when its peel is carelessly discarded? The answer is surprisingly straightforward. The phrase “go bananas” likely originated from the phrase “go ape,” which means becoming wildly excited or enthusiastic. And when do apes get wildly excited and enthusiastic? When they’re in the company of bananas, of course!

In conclusion, we’ve traced the evolution of the phrase “go bananas” from its simian origins to its modern usage as a synonym for going crazy. While we can’t be certain who specifically first coined the phrase, it’s clear that those crazy college kids of the swinging sixties played a major role in propelling the phrase into linguistic fame. So the next time you feel like you’re about to go crazy, just remember that you’re not alone. Whether you decide to go ape, go bananas, or something else entirely, just embrace your inner wild side and let loose!