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Thread: Shithouse Rats and Insanity

  1. #1
    Elephant Tuckerfan's avatar
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    Default Shithouse Rats and Insanity

    Anyone know how shithouse rats became "the" definition of crazy?
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    Content Generator AllWalker's avatar
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    Default Re: Shithouse Rats and Insanity

    I'm more curious about the phrase "bat-fuck insane."

    Sounds like a really intense weekend.

    As for your question, it's a line from The Abyss. Don't know if it shows up anywhere earlier than that, though.
    Something tells me we haven't seen the last of foreshadowing.

  3. #3
    Stegodon
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    Default Re: Shithouse Rats and Insanity

    Quote Originally posted by AllWalker
    I'm more curious about the phrase "bat-fuck insane."
    I'm afraid I don't have any cites for the first use of this, but it was certainly around in the UK in 1993. As it's probably an Americanism, I suspect it was around some years before that in the southern States.

    As to what it actually means, the answer is probably "nothing". The last 15 years or so have seen an explosion in absurdist imagery for the sake of emphasis, which seems to have been driven by the internet in general, and comedy sites specifically. There probably isn't a sensible etymology to be found for it.
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  4. #4
    Elephant
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    Default Re: Shithouse Rats and Insanity

    Well, you'd have to be crazy to live in a shithouse, wouldn't you?

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    Default Re: Shithouse Rats and Insanity

    Quote Originally posted by Q.E.D.
    Well, you'd have to be crazy to live in a shithouse, wouldn't you?
    LOL!

  6. #6
    Stegodon
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    Default Re: Shithouse Rats and Insanity

    I thought Heinlein had used "crazy as a shithouse rat" in some of his writings. At least, that's where I remember getting it.
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  7. #7
    Elephant Tuckerfan's avatar
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    Default Re: Shithouse Rats and Insanity

    Quote Originally posted by phouka
    I thought Heinlein had used "crazy as a shithouse rat" in some of his writings. At least, that's where I remember getting it.
    Well, its certain to not be original to Cameron's The Abyss (I liked the movie better when it was called 2001: A Space Odyssey :wink: ).
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  8. #8
    Oliphaunt
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    Default Re: Shithouse Rats and Insanity

    Quote Originally posted by AllWalker
    I'm more curious about the phrase "bat-fuck insane."
    I always heard this one as "bat-shit insane."
    I'm not good at the advice. Can I offer you a sarcastic comment instead?

  9. #9
    Yes, I'm a cat. What's it to you? Muffin's avatar
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    Default Re: Shithouse Rats and Insanity

    And "bat-shit crazy."

  10. #10
    Elephant
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    Default Re: Shithouse Rats and Insanity

    I believe this query needs to be turned over to those who will study rats and their habitat of choice, as well as representative sampling of all habitat groups for a measure of relative intelligence. Would one of our members wish to apply for a grant?
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  11. #11
    Content Generator AllWalker's avatar
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    Default Re: Shithouse Rats and Insanity

    Quote Originally posted by BiblioCat
    Quote Originally posted by AllWalker
    I'm more curious about the phrase "bat-fuck insane."
    I always heard this one as "bat-shit insane."
    I've heard that variant as well. I first came across the phrase here, though, so that is how I use it.
    Something tells me we haven't seen the last of foreshadowing.

  12. #12
    Stegodon Boozahol Squid, P.I.'s avatar
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    Default Re: Shithouse Rats and Insanity

    I've heard bat-shit crazy as well.. .and have always assumed it was a cruder, more colorful riff on the old 'bats in the belfry'.

  13. #13
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    Default Re: Shithouse Rats and Insanity

    the phrase is supposed to be NUTTY as a shithouse rat. Shit being filled with nuts, you see.

  14. #14
    Aged Turtle Wizard Clothahump's avatar
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    Default Re: Shithouse Rats and Insanity

    I first heard it as shithouse mouse. Wambaugh used it in The Blue Knight, I believe, written back in the 70s, but I had heard it in grade school in the 50s.
    Political correctness will be the death of our country.

  15. #15
    Content Generator AllWalker's avatar
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    Default Re: Shithouse Rats and Insanity

    Shithouse mouse rhymes too much. It puts me off.

    Really, what is wrong with a nice, simple bat-fuck insane? That's the way Dad did it, that's the way America does it, um...
    Something tells me we haven't seen the last of foreshadowing.

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