Out to Lunch: And Other Absurd Absences
Out to Lunch
Definition: Extremely absentminded or stupid; also, crazy.
Origin: This mid-twentieth-century slangy expression was defined in the August 1955 edition of Science Digest. It describes someone who is mentally absent or detached. Back then, such a person was often told to “get with it.”
Synonyms:
- Spaced out
- Gone fishing
- Heads in the clouds
- Not all there
- MIA (Missing in Action)
Antonyms:
- Sharp as a tack
- With it
- In the zone
- Grounded
“A wise man knows himself to be a fool while a fool thinks he is a wise man.” - William Shakespeare
Similar Expressions:
- Out of it: Similar in suggesting someone is not mentally present.
- In La-La Land: A bit fanciful, but another way to say someone’s mentally checked out.
- Lights are on, but nobody’s home: A humorous way to describe someone who appears to be mentally elsewhere.
Recommended Literature: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. If you’re exploring mental absences, the adventures of Arthur Dent are a must-read.
Possible Reference Movies: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Ferris knows how to mentally and physically check out, hilariously.
Inspirational Quote: “It’s okay to go out to lunch on occasion, as long as you always come back to the table with a new idea.” - W. T. Wittywords
Farewell, dear reader! Remember, it’s perfectly fine to be out to lunch every so often, as long as you return with unforgettable memories and a splash of creative thought.
– W. T. Wittywords
