Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun One that is in a completely hopeless or useless condition.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun idiomatic, slang, potentially offensive One made
powerless or ineffective, as bynerves ,panic orstress . - noun idiomatic A
country in a difficulteconomic orfinancial situation.
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
[Originally World War I military slang, soldier who has lost all four limbs.]
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
The term originated from WWI British English, indicating a soldier missing both his arms and legs, who needed to be literally carried around in a litter or "basket." Today it indicates a state of helplessness similar to the metaphoric removal of the appendages.
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Examples
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sonofgroucho commented on the word basket case
Does anybody know the origin of this expression?
February 25, 2008
asativum commented on the word basket case
Erm, yes, and it's not particularly kind. I'll let Answers.com describe it succinctly, and you can infer the rest:
In the grim slang of the British army during World War I, it referred to a quadruple amputee. This is one of several expressions that first became popular in World War I, or that entered American army slang from British English at that time.
February 25, 2008
chained_bear commented on the word basket case
Oh my god.
February 25, 2008