meshugana: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, colloquial, slang; often used within American Jewish communities or by those familiar with Yiddish loanwords.
Quick answer
What does “meshugana” mean?
A foolish, crazy, or eccentric person.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A foolish, crazy, or eccentric person.
A term for someone whose behaviour is wildly irrational, nonsensical, or dangerously foolish; can denote endearment, exasperation, or genuine concern depending on context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Extremely rare in British English outside of specific cultural contexts. Primarily an American English term, closely associated with Yiddish influence in American urban speech, particularly in New York.
Connotations
In AmE: Can range from insulting to affectionate teasing. In BrE: If recognised, it is seen as a very marked Americanism with strong ethnic/cultural associations.
Frequency
High frequency in specific AmE subcultures; negligible in general BrE.
Grammar
How to Use “meshugana” in a Sentence
[determiner] + meshuganabe + a + meshuganaVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “meshugana” in a Sentence
adjective
American English
- He had some truly meshugana idea about building a rocket in his garage.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; potentially used humorously to describe a wildly irrational client or competitor's strategy.
Academic
Virtually non-existent.
Everyday
Informal conversation among familiar parties, especially in communities with Yiddish influence.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meshugana”
- Spelling: 'meshugganah', 'meshuggener', 'meshugana' (all variants exist, but 'meshugana' is a common Anglicization).
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Over-applying it to mild eccentricity rather than pronounced irrationality.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be, depending on tone and context. It is often used humorously or affectionately within in-groups, but using it as a direct insult to a stranger would be offensive.
There are many transliterations from Yiddish (meshumed, meshugener, meshugge). 'Meshugana' is a common and widely understood Anglicised spelling for the noun form meaning 'a crazy person'.
Yes, though less commonly. The more standard Yiddish-derived adjective is 'meshugge' (e.g., 'a meshugge idea'). 'Meshugana' is primarily a noun.
Primarily in the United States, especially in areas with historical Jewish populations like New York City. It has entered broader American slang through media and culture.
A foolish, crazy, or eccentric person.
Meshugana is usually informal, colloquial, slang; often used within american jewish communities or by those familiar with yiddish loanwords. in register.
Meshugana: in British English it is pronounced /məˈʃʊɡənə/, and in American English it is pronounced /məˈʃʊɡənə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's a few cards short of a deck, a real meshugana.”
- “Don't be a meshugana!”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone MESHing up (tangling) a sensible plan in a GANAc (sounds like 'gana'-crazy) way - a meshugana.
Conceptual Metaphor
INSANITY IS A TANGLE (from 'mesh'), CRAZINESS IS A LACK OF ORDER.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'meshugana' MOST appropriately used?