psycho

Everyday

1. (slang, rude/offensive) A person who is thought to be dangerously crazy or violent. tree →
2. (slang) Used loosely to mean very angry, intense or wild: "He went psycho when he lost." tree →
3. (informal) Short for psychology or psychological in words like psychoanalysis; a prefix «psycho-» meaning mind. tree →

In the lessons

In films and stories villains are called psychos; in playground slang kids say someone «went psycho». It is unkind and mocks people with mental illness, so careful speakers avoid it. As a prefix in science words (psychology, psychotherapy) it means «mind». Phrases: «go psycho», «a total psycho».

Examples

• (slang) "My brother went psycho when I broke his game." tree →
• (rude) The villain in the film was a psycho. tree →
• Calling someone a psycho is unkind. tree →
• Psychology is the study of the mind — «psycho-» means mind. tree →
• "Don't be so psycho about it, it's only a game!" tree →
• The teacher said not to use the word «psycho» as an insult. tree →

Note

Plural: psychos. Silent p: SY-ko. Slang and offensive; prefer «very angry», «out of control». Not a medical word. The prefix «psycho-» in proper words (psychology) is fine.