looney

Everyday

1. (informal, can be rude) Looney means crazy or very silly. tree →
2. (informal, rude) A looney is a person who acts in a crazy way; calling someone this can be hurtful. tree →
3. (Canada, informal, usually spelled «loonie») A loonie is the Canadian one-dollar coin, which has a loon bird on it. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday talk and cartoons (Looney Tunes), looney means wild and silly. In ethics and kindness lessons, children learn that words like «looney» can be hurtful to people with mental illness. In Canada, «loonie» is a normal word for the one-dollar coin, and «toonie» for two dollars. Common phrases: «looney idea», «go looney», «Looney Tunes», «the loonie» (Canada).

Examples

• That's a looney idea, but it might just work! tree →
• Bugs Bunny is from Looney Tunes cartoons. tree →
• The dog went looney when it saw the snow. tree →
• Don't call people looney — it can hurt. tree →
• In Canada, a chocolate bar cost two loonies. tree →
• The loonie has a loon bird on one side. tree →

Note

More common spelling: «loony»; the Canadian coin is «loonie». It comes from «lunatic», an old word now seen as unkind. Playful use (a looney idea) is fine; using it about real people with illness is rude.