cra·zy
1. very foolish, irrational, or strange.
2. extremely excited or enthusiastic.
3. having a mental illness. [offensive]

There is nothing lazier than beginning with a definition, but here I am.

My relationship with the word crazy is tumultuous, so much so that I’ve blogged about it before (multiple times). I like the word, there are so many times when it is perfect, e.g., “The move Brazil was crazy and wonderful.” Like the more famous C word, it can have a devastating impact on me. A close family member stops me when I say it to explain that it is not OK, because he has family who are crazy [me]. Blerg. I think I’m just describing an opportunity for better boundary setting, and the word crazy doesn’t deserve to be bullied. Words are beautiful, wonderful, crazy things that shouldn’t be censored. Maybe this one just needs some new friends: unconventional, eccentric, quirky, unorthodox, wacky, outlandish, bizarre, weird, strange, peculiar, daft, zany, off the wall.

Bottom line — just don’t be an ass.