go bananas
/ɡoʊ bəˈnænəz/
verb phrase
Origin
English
banana — fruit
Overview
Meaning Now
- To become irrational, hyperactive, or extremely excited.
- To lose one's temper or become angry.
Language path
English
Earliest form
go bananas
Earliest period
mid-20th century
Journey
The phrase likely draws on the association between monkeys and bananas, suggesting monkey-like, chaotic, or wild behavior. During the 1960s, American slang frequently used fruit or food terms to describe mental states or personalities.
Evolution
- 1960s
go bananas
“behaving erratically or enthusiastically”
Emergence in American university slang.
Connections
Word parts
go
root
to move or act
bananas
root
the fruit; slang for mental instability
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Related to go bananas
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.