Etymology

basket case

Today it means: Someone (especially a soldier) who has lost all four limbs. Full definition →

First used 20th c.
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The story

From basket + case. * (injured soldier): Based on rumors during World War I that wounded soldiers were transported in baskets. * (item to be repaired): The item's components might be brought for repair in a basket.

First known use, by meaning

  • from 20th c. Someone (especially a soldier) who has lost all four limbs.
  • from 20th c. An institution or country in a bad condition or difficult situation (economically, financially or otherwise).
  • from 20th c. One made powerless or ineffective, as by nerves, panic, stress or exhaustion; someone considered mentally unstable.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.