Batshit?

Setting aside the insensitivity of slang terminology such as batshit crazy, cray-cray, nuts, insane, bonkers, etc., for a person struggling with a mental illness, I wanted to explore where this particular slang originated. Although I’ll admit to using the term in my books in the past, ever since someone pointed out the error of my ways, I’ve dropped the second word in this slang term. I’m still looking for a way to describe the Marjorie Taylor Green’s of the world without being offensive to anyone. I’d like to think that our capacity to learn and grow as we age helps me avoid being an insensitive slob. It’s a work in progress, and I invite anyone to school me if I don’t recognize when I’ve crossed a line.

Anyhoo…it’s still a question I wanted to explore after I read a short post on Facebook questioning how in the world batshit emerged as the type of excrement to be attached to a person like Marjorie Taylor Green. Several competing theories emerged.

Back in the early 1300s, large quantities of bat guano were fed to patients in mental institutions because doctors felt it would calm their nerves due to the high concentrations of vitamin K. Unfortunately it had the opposite effect often driving the patients to the brink of insanity. They were known to go crazy. Hense the term, “bat shit crazy”. This is the first known reference I could find.The fungus Histoplasma capsulatum resides in bat guano, and, since the fungus infects the brain of the host, it makes them behave in a chaotic manner.In 1950 from M. Shedd “I felt the minute hand of that bat shit of a Judas clock stand up to me.”In 1964 from G. H. Johnston’s, My Brother Jack “He would describe somebody as being ‘as silly as a two-bob watch’ or ‘dreary as bat-shit’.” The phrase bat shit crazy may have originated in the era of the Vietnam War because the GIs encountered bat schi in nearby Thailand. Batshit was used in the June 1983 movie, “Trading Places” starring Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy. A 1983 cartoon by P. S. Mueller contained the caption “Full blown batshit crazy and still holding down a productive job” In 1993 Toronto Life “His mug is emblazoned with the words: full-blown bat shit crazy.”Possibility originated from the term batty which has been known to be synonymous with crazy, originating itself from an earlier phrase to have bats in one’s belfry which comes from the tendency of bats to fly around erratically. Possibly influenced by or derived from apeshit, particularly the phrase go apeshit, which is probably because of the well-known behavior of Chimps that throw their own shit. FYI primates fall into two categories: Great Apes and Monkeys; the former do not have tails.On a completely random note: Bat guano (shit) is an excellent fertilizer – we used it on our blueberry bushes.

If you want to see the evolution of my slang when describing people like Marjorie Taylor Green, you know the drill, just click the links below. I am always looking for acceptable terminology because compassion and understanding is always the goal. At the same time, a realistic portrayal of common dialogue, slang, and language ensures my books don’t fall into the trap of being too stiff. LOL…like that would ever happen with my colloquial style of writing! So shoot me your best slang and maybe I’ll incorporate that into my next book. Also, you might want to pick up Ali Spooner’s latest story, From the Cradle to the Stone for the very low price of .99. It’s a delightful little love story.