Off the Wall 🎨
Meaning: Extremely unconventional, unorthodox, eccentric. This expression, which dates from about 1960, probably alludes to the erratic path of a ball bounced against a wall in a sport like squash or racquetball, as in “Answering multiple-choice questions by writing in new and different choices, that’s off the wall.”
Synonyms:
- Outlandish
- Far-out
- Bizarre
- Avant-garde
Antonyms:
- Conventional
- Orthodox
- Traditional
- Mundane
Related Expressions:
- Bats in the belfry: A whimsical way of saying someone is a bit crazy, imagining bats living in a bell tower.
- A screw loose: Suggesting someone may not be thinking quite right, as if part of their machinery is missing a vital part.
- Mad as a hatter: Popularized by Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland,” it refers to someone who is extremely eccentric or mad.
Humor-Filled Quotes:
“Normality is a paved road: It’s comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow on it.” - Vincent Van Gogh
“Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” - Dr. Seuss
Proverbs and Sayings:
“The world’s a playground! You know that when you are a kid, but somewhere along the way everyone forgets it.” - Max from The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” - Albert Einstein
recommended Reading and References:
Books:
- “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll (for a wild ride through off-the-wall characters and situations).
- “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams (embracing the erratic and eccentric hitchhiking through the universe).
Movies:
- “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” (a movie that beautifully illustrates stepping outside conventionality).
- “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (for its avant-garde narrative and mind-bending story).
Songs:
- “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen (a true off-the-wall musical masterpiece).
- “Come Together” by The Beatles (an unconventional magnum opus in the realm of music).
Poetry:
- “Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll (a nonsense verse delighting in the off-the-wall language).
Until we meet again, always remember to live a life full of whimsy and wonder. Carve your own path, and let your spirit bounce off every wall of convention and step into the beautiful chaos of uniqueness.
– E. L. Eclectic
