You're a basket case

Basket case

 

Ever wondered where the term basket case came from? I'm here to tell you!

Back around 1900, a case was a storage box made out of wicker, like a basket, and was usually used to store linens and other dry goods.

MeerkatsShortly after World War I, stories started circulating about thousands of injured soldiers, quadruple amputees, who had to be transported in baskets. The Army denied any truth to the stories, but they became part of folklore, leading to the term basket cases.

Eventually the stories subsided until 1939 when Dalton Trumbo's novel Johnny Got His Gun was published. Joe Bonham, the main character, had lost his arms, legs, and his face in World War I. His mind was fully functional, but he was carried around in a wicker basket, reviving the term basket case. The book was made into a film in 1971.

False war stories and a work of fiction added basket case to our lexicon. Personally I prefer the basket cases shown here in this post. Much more positive and less derogatory.

And after reading about basket case and writing this post, I vow never to use the term again.

Meerkats

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Posted by Jim Frimmer, Realtor and CDPE, Mission Valley, CA DRE #01458572 on 10/18/2011 04:13 PM   Comments (12)   Vocabulary in the ActiveRain Channel   meerkats, basket case  
Originally posted at: Jim's blog: You're a basket case
Short URL: http://actvra.in/lwb
Post is included in group: Active Rain Animal Photography
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12 Comments on You're a basket case

OCT
18
2011
221,908 Points

Hi Jim,

Thanks for sharing.  You learn something new every day.
4:23pm • #1
408,156 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Good Afternoon Jim,

                             That is a very interesting tidbit thanks for sharing and have a great evening.
5:22pm • #2
850,421 Points 72 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jim,  Wow.  I have only used the term "basket case" referring to myself.  I now vow never to use it again.  I prefer our furry friends in loving baskets too.  This is a very interesting post.  Thank you!
6:00pm • #3
570,707 Points 25 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Jim - Those stories are kinda creepy, but the photos are adorable!
6:43pm • #4
594,106 Points 22 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Jim:  Somehow I knew this title would have to do with animals!
11:27pm • #5
592,337 Points 17 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Jim,

Sad story about where the term originated but I love the pictures. Thanks for sharing and have a sucessful week. I will never use this term again either.
11:56pm • #6
OCT
19
2011
1,057,134 Points 27 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thanks to those who have stopped by and left a comment.

I’ll read through all of the comments to see if any of them need a specific response. If so, I’ll respond below this comment. I’ll be by your blogs soon to do some reading and commenting.

If you are a reader who found this post through a Google search and are looking for information about Mission Valley condos, or if you would like to visit a property anywhere in San Diego County, please feel free to contact me by email atJimFrimmer@Century21Award.comor call me at 619-729-5701.
8:20pm • #7
277,589 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Very interesting history of the term.  I like the little passengers.
10:34pm • #8
OCT
20
2011
239,942 Points Outside Blog

So Jim, the term Basket Case is the exact opposite of what we as a society associate it to.  Your story tells of a man that lost his arms, legs and his face but him mind was full functional.  Basket Case in our society means that someone is not fully thinking straight i.e.overwhelmed. mentally stressed, paranoid, etc...
9:03pm • #9
1,057,134 Points 27 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Steve — It's the book that used the story of a man who lost his arms, legs, and face, but had a fully functional mind. That was twenty years after basket case had become a well-known term meaning quadriplegics who were carried around in baskets. So many in society still believe that a person must be whole in every respect to be worthwhile. The health care debate a couple of years ago certainly proved that.
11:06pm • #10
OCT
21
2011
389,467 Points Outside Blog

Just like many other terms that have been co-opted over the years. They originally had one meaning, but now mean something totally different.

Haven't heard that term in years.
10:36am • #11
OCT
22
2011
626,433 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Well thank you for clearing that up!  :-)  What adorable photos! 
7:30am • #12


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