Where does the saying “crazy as a bed bug” come from? Does it mean you can look to the bugs for inspiration on how to react when your boss comes after you?  Do Crustaceans really have anything to do with the origin of the phrase? There are many theories regarding the origin of the phrase “crazy as a bed bug”. But, contrary to some beliefs, the phrase doesn’t refer to actual insects known as bedbugs–which are very easy to get rid of–but to a type of crazy that comes and goes like a wave. Crazy as a bed bug is an idiomatic phrase, which means crazy and foolish. The phrase is generally attributed to Ward McAllister (August 18, 1827 – December 16, 1903), an American socialite, bon vivant and self-appointed arbiter of New York Society during the Gilded Age. McAllister made the observation in 1883 shortly before his death. The term “crazy as a bed bug” is a colloquialism which has been around for many generations. The phrase was first used by Shakespeare who mentioned the term in Othello and Hamlet. A review of these two plays reveals that the reference to crazy as a bed bug was made by the character Iago. Have you ever heard the phrase, “it’s so crazy, it’s almost insane”? I remember hearing it as a child while playing some sort of card game that involved me losing all my candy (I think it was called, “Go Fish”). The phrase is not unlike your average toddler: delightfully entertaining but comes with an implied threat of harming you at any moment.

Crazy As A Bed Bug Origin

Introduction

Well, it’s not likely they were going crazy with joy. So what gave bed bugs their reputation as “insane?”

Where does the phrase ‘Crazy As A Bed Bug’ come from?

The phrase “crazy as a bed bug” is not so much an expression of insanity as it is one of exasperation. The term dates back to the early 19th century when it was first used in the United States. At this time, there were no mental hospitals or treatment centers available for those who suffered from mental illness. People who were considered insane or mentally ill were often kept at home until they became violent and unpredictable enough to be taken away by law enforcement officers or relatives who didn’t want them around anymore (hence why most people with mental health issues are still cared for by their families).

In short: if you had someone living with you who was acting so strange that they could be likened to a bed bug—or if someone else asked you about how crazy your relative was—you might’ve said something along these lines: “He’s crazy as a bed bug!”

Does it Mean The Same Thing Now as It Did Then?

Does it mean the same thing now as it did then? The answer is no. Bed bugs are a sign of poor housekeeping, not insanity or mental illness. Bed bugs are annoying because of their bites and because they can be difficult to get rid of. If you think you’re going crazy because you see bed bugs around your home, don’t worry! You aren’t losing your mind; they’re just pests that need to be dealt with appropriately!

Do We Actually Know Anything About Bed Bugs?

• Bed bugs are not a type of bug.
• Bed bugs are not a type of insect.
• Bed bugs are not a type of parasite.
• Bed bugs are not a type of arachnid.
• Bed bugs are not a type of spider (but they feed on spiders).

Conclusion

That’s all we know. It turns out that this phrase hasn’t been used very often in literature or history, and the first recorded use doesn’t give us much information about what it means or where it came from. We don’t even know if the phrase was used in the same way then as it is now! We do know that bedbugs are a major problem for many people, though. The good news is, there are lots of ways to get rid of them using natural remedies like neem oil (which can be applied directly to your mattress) and diatomaceous earth (which comes from fossilized algae). Plus, using these products won’t create any environmental problems—and they won’t make you go crazy either!