barmy

== English == === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈbɑːmi/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈbɑɹmi/ Homophone: balmy (RP) Rhymes: -ɑː(ɹ)mi === Etymology 1 === From barm (“foam rising upon beer or other malt liquors when fermenting, and used as leaven”) +‎ -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of’ forming adjectives). Barm is derived from Middle English berm, berme (“foam rising upon ale or beer fermenting; leaven, yeast; foam or head of beer produced by pouring”) [and other forms], from Old English beorma (“foam or head of beer; leaven, yeast”), from Proto-West Germanic *bermō (“barm; yeast”); further etymology uncertain, perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *bʰrewh₁- (“to boil; to brew”) or *gʷʰer- (“warm; hot”). ==== Adjective ==== barmy (comparative barmier, superlative barmiest) (archaic) (also figuratively) Containing, covered with, or pertaining to barm (“foam rising upon beer or other malt liquors when fermenting, used as leaven in brewing and making bread”). (figuratively) Bubbling with activity or excitement; active, excited. ===== Translations ===== === Etymology 2 === Probably an alteration of balmy (“foolish; slightly crazy or mad, eccentric”), influenced by barm (“foam rising upon beer or other malt liquors when fermenting, and used as leaven”) (see etymology 1). ==== Adjective ==== barmy (comparative barmier, superlative barmiest) (British, Ireland, informal) Crazy, mad; also, eccentric, odd, strange. Synonyms: (US, informal) balmy, dotty, goofy, wacko; see also Thesaurus:eccentric, Thesaurus:insane Antonyms: see Thesaurus:normal, Thesaurus:sane Very foolish. Synonyms: (US, informal) balmy; see also Thesaurus:foolish Antonyms: see Thesaurus:wise ===== Usage notes ===== In US English, balmy is usual; elsewhere this is occasionally found but some authorities consider it erroneous, despite the fact that barmy was probably derived from it. ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== === Etymology 3 === Borrowed from Russian бармы (barmy). ==== Noun ==== barmy plural of barma (“a regal Russian mantle or neckpiece made of gold, encrusted with diamonds and other gems”) === References === === Anagrams === Byram, Mabry, ambry