GOES BANANAS Meaning and
Definition
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"Goes bananas" is an idiomatic expression that means to become extremely excited, irrational, or lose control of one's emotions or behavior due to heightened enthusiasm, anger, or frustration. This phrase often signifies a state of intense agitation or frenzy, similar to the frenetic movements and increased agitation exhibited by bananas when they ripen and turn yellow.
The term "goes bananas" is derived from the behavior exhibited by monkeys and primates when they consume bananas, as bananas are known to be a favorite food of these animals. When they come into contact with bananas, they often exhibit exaggerated excitement, jumping, and making various noises, hence the metaphorical association between their behavior and extreme emotional reactions.
When a person "goes bananas," they are typically displaying a lack of control, either positively or negatively, over their actions, thoughts, or words. This can manifest as uncontrollable laughter, intense anger, or excitement. It implies a temporary suspension of rationality and the surrendering of self-control to extreme emotional impulses, much like the behavior of monkeys in presence of bananas.
The phrase "goes bananas" is commonly used in informal conversations or informal writing, but it should be noted that it is a metaphorical expression and not to be taken literally. Its usage is predominantly figurative, describing moments when someone's emotional response exceeds the typical or expected range and becomes exaggerated, almost comical.
Common Misspellings for GOES BANANAS
- goes banafas
- goes banalas
- goes banaoas
- goes bananis
- goes bananes
- goes banancs
- goes banana3
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- g oes bananas
- go es bananas
- goe s bananas
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- goes ba nanas
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- goes banana s
Etymology of GOES BANANAS
The phrase "goes bananas" is a casual expression used to describe someone behaving in a crazy or irrational manner. The etymology of this phrase can be understood by looking at the history of the word "bananas".
The word "banana" originated from the Wolof language spoken in West Africa, particularly in what is now Senegal and Gambia. It made its way into English through various languages like Spanish and Portuguese during the European explorations and trade in the 16th and 17th centuries.
The specific phrase "goes bananas" is believed to have its origins in the United States in the early 20th century. The connection between bananas and irrational behavior likely stems from the idea that monkeys or apes get excited or agitated when presented with bananas, jumping around and exhibiting frantic behavior.
Over time, this association was humorously extended to describe human behavior where someone loses control, becomes overly excited, or exhibits irrationality.
