The Moment They Lost It: Why You Should Stop Using the Word Crazy in 2026
A viral tweet by TahoeTV asking for 'crazy' stories has sparked a deeper debate. Experts like Dr. Brenda Curtis explain why you should stop using the word crazy and its hidden stigma.
No two humans are exactly alike, and everyone is a bit weird in their own way. But when does 'quirky' cross the line into 'creepy'? Media personality TahoeTV sparked a massive online conversation by asking people to describe the exact moment they realized someone was out of their mind.
The Viral Thread: When to Stop Using the Word Crazy
The responses were immediate and overwhelming. More than 40 people shared chilling stories ranging from cheating partners to high school bullies. While these anecdotes provided entertainment for thousands, they also raised a serious question: is our casual use of the word 'crazy' doing more harm than good?
Why Language Matters: Insights from Penn Medicine
Dr. Brenda Curtis, an assistant professor at Penn Medicine, argues that the word 'crazy' often carries sexist undertones. Historically, gender-based stereotypes have labeled women as irrational or hysterical, and 'crazy' continues to perpetuate these harmful ideas.
Attaching stigma to mental health conditions by using such words creates social distance. When stereotypes affect whether people seek treatment, that's a problem.
Curtis notes that 'crazy' is also an ambiguous term. Using it as a catch-all adjective is often a 'lazy' way to avoid more precise descriptions like 'outlandish' or 'unpredictable.' More importantly, it fails to separate the person from their illness, casting them into a category of 'others' that no one wants to identify with.
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