Hey all --
I was talking to one of my aunts tonight. She is about 70 and lives in Indiana (she grew up in Indianapolis and now lives about 50 mile south of there). We were talking about someone she knew who went through some hard times and she said "that kind of thing would make anyone go a little basarack" (this is a phonetic spelling as neither of us know the correct spelling). I asked her what the word was. She repeated it but didn't know its origin or even how she knew it. She said it just means when someone goes a little crazy or has a breakdown.
Of course, I googled it. All I could find (under this spelling or anything close to it) are some vague references to a King Basarack.
Has anyone heard this word and/or does anyone know its origin?
Thanks in advance,
Chris
Welcome, Chris.
Possibly a mishearing of berserk?
Peter
That's my guess. What'd you find out about this King Basarack? Was he Scandinavian, by any chance? because that's where I think we got "berserk" from.
Thanks, guys. That may be it but it would have to have happened awhile back since she was definitely using the term basarack (sp?). In addition to a shift in pronunciation, I would imagine it would have been a shift in meaning as well. Unless berserk can mean something close to a mental breakdown instead of a fit of anger (which is how I usually hear it used).
And, in careful what you google news, it seems King Basarack may be a make believe king in a make believe world:
http://centuryoffire.pbworks.com/w/page/357118/King%20Basarack%20the%20Rich
Yes, that's what I found. Some sort of fantasy world game. I didn't delve very far.