Francophonie· medium
avoir une araignée au plafond
“to have a spider on the ceiling”
Meaning
to be crazy
Explanation
This expression describes someone who is eccentric, not very bright, or a bit crazy.
Example
Il a une araignée au plafond, ce type. Il parle tout seul.
That guy has a few screws loose. He talks to himself.
Origin
Showed up in the second half of the 19th century, reportedly among Parisian prostitutes. The ceiling stands in for the top of your skull. If a spider can set up shop in there and spin webs undisturbed, nobody's home.
Source
More like this
- avaler des couleuvresTo put up with insults without complaining
- avoir d'autres chats à fouetterto have more important things to do
- avoir le cafardto feel depressed
- avoir un nom à coucher dehorsTo have an unpronounceable name
- être dans de beaux drapsTo be in serious trouble
- faire le pied de grueto wait standing in one place for a long time