Where did the term "crazy like a fox" originate? What was it's original meaning?

Answer 1

CRAZY LIKE (OR AS) A FOX - ".seemingly foolish but in fact extremely cunning." From "Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang, Volume 1, A-G" by J.E. Lighter, Random House, New York, 1994. And from a second reference: Crazy (Dumb, Sly) Like a Fox. Smart and resourceful. The fox has been celebrated for centuries as a crafty animal. Its wiles were remarked in the 'Trinity College Homilies,' dating from about 1200. S. J. Perelman made one of the phrases (Crazy Like a Fox) the title of a book in 1944." From the "Dictionary of Cliches" by James Rogers (Ballantine Books, New York, 1985).

Answer 2

It's probably very old in origin, and most likely developed in England or in Europe, where fox-hunting was quite the sport. It refers to the "crazy" tactics that a fox may make, in avoiding the dogs hunting it --like for example, doubling back towards the dogs in a stream, because its scent is harder to track in the water. There are other tactics that it may use, that seem crazy, but in fact usually tricks the dogs, and the fox makes its escape.

Answer 3

Seemingly foolish but actually very shrewd and cunning. For example, You think Bob was crazy to turn it down? He's crazy like a fox, because they've now doubled their offer. This usage gained currency when humorist S.J. Perelman used it as the title of a book (1944). [Early 1900s] .

Answer 4

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