Out to Lunch
🚫 Meaning: Extremely absentminded or stupid; also, crazy. Marvel at the linguistic marvel that is “Out to Lunch” — a phrase stigmatized by Science Digest in August 1955 as signifying someone who just wasn’t ‘there’ and needed to ‘Get with it.’
Synonyms:
- 🧠 As daft as a brush
- 🤔 Not playing with a full deck
- 🌠 Away with the fairies
- 🛩️ Having one’s head in the clouds
Antonyms:
- 🧭 Sharp as a tack
- 🔄 On the ball
- 🚨 Alert and aware
- 🌞 Clear as day
Humor-filled Quotes:
- “She’s so out to lunch, she missed brunch and supper!”
- “Our boss is out to lunch more often than an office goldfish.”
Proverbs:
- “The lights are on but nobody’s home.”
References in Popular Culture:
- 🏖️ “To Sir, With Love” — 1967 drama film, where absentminded students have their “out to lunch” moments.
- 📚 Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams — Zaphod Beeblebrox, King Out to Lunch.
- 🎵 “Man Out of Time” — a song by Elvis Costello highlights socially-out-of-touch individuals.
Literature Suggestion:
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee — Arthur “Boo” Radley is often deemed ‘out to lunch’ by the society of Maycomb.
Song Suggestion:
- “Lost in My Mind” by The Head and the Heart — capturing the epitome of being mentally ‘elsewhere.’
Movie Suggestion:
- “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” — Ferris is definitely not ‘out to lunch,’ but various characters are bewildered and out to lunch throughout the narrative.
### Which of these is a real idiom?
- [ ] Flying on spaghetti wings
- [x] Out to lunch
- [ ] Bouncing on rainbow springs
- [ ] Laughing with jellyfish
> **Explanation:** "Out to lunch" is a recognized idiom signifying someone who is absentminded or not fully aware of their surroundings. The others, albeit colorful, don't hold any meaningful sway in the world of idioms.
### What does ‘out to lunch’ mean?
- [x] Extremely absentminded or stupid; also, crazy
- [ ] Literally getting lunch out with friends
- [ ] Cooking dinner for the first time
- [ ] Swinging by a park
> **Explanation:** "Out to lunch" idiomatically points to someone who is so lost in their own world they're virtually absentminded or behaving in a crazy manner.
### Which phrase is true?
- [x] Away with the fairies
- [ ] Munching on moon rocks
- [ ] Writing on cloud marshmallows
- [ ] Swimming in chocolate fountains
> **Explanation:** "Away with the fairies" is another valid idiom reflecting someone's detachment from reality. The other phrases lean joyfully towards whimsical nonsense.
Inspirational Farewell
Writing cliches might feel like climbing a slippery slope, but every quirky phrase has its rich tapestry of history and humor. Stay whip-smart, language lover, and remember—sometimes it’s good to be a bit ‘out to lunch,’ as that’s when the magic of creativity is often found.
- E. L. Quirkytwist 🌟
