Basket case

Basket Case is a term that originated from World War I, used to describe soldiers who had lost all four limbs and had to be carried around in a basket. Today, it is commonly used in a more general sense to refer to someone or something that is dysfunctional or unable to cope.

Origin

The term "basket case" was first used in the context of the World War I, where it was used to describe soldiers who had lost all four limbs and had to be carried around in a basket. The term was later adopted by the medical community to describe patients who were so physically or mentally incapacitated that they required constant care.

Modern Usage

In modern usage, "basket case" is often used to describe someone who is extremely nervous or stressed and therefore unable to function properly. It can also be used to describe a situation, organization, or thing that is in a state of complete disarray or dysfunction.

In Popular Culture

"Basket Case" is also the title of a song by the American punk rock band Green Day, which was released as a single from their third album, Dookie, in 1994. The song's lyrics describe lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong's struggles with anxiety, making it a fitting use of the term.

See Also

• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Anxiety disorder
• Green Day