France· easy· informal
être fada
“to be fairy-touched (Provençal word)”
Meaning
to be crazy
Explanation
This expression describes someone who is crazy, foolish, or simple-minded. It can be used literally or affectionately. In Marseille, football fans are called 'fadas' and Le Corbusier's Cité radieuse is nicknamed 'la maison du fada'.
Example
Tu vas sauter en parachute? Mais t'es complètement fada!
You're going to jump with a parachute? You're completely crazy!
Origin
Goes back to Latin 'fata' (fairy) through Occitan 'fada' (to bewitch). A 'fada' is someone who's been enchanted by fairies. Documented in Provençal as early as 1343.
Where
Provence
Source
More like this
- avoir les chevilles qui enflentto become full of oneself after a small success
- être déçu en biento be pleasantly surprised
- faire la poteto sulk, pulling a sullen face
- avoir durto be struggling, having a rough time
- avoir la bananeto be in a cheerful, happy mood
- avoir la chair de pouleto get little bumps on the skin