2007-09-21 17:39:49 · 16 answers · asked by Who is that red head??? 6 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
A fox when its running seems to be very foolish, when in fact it is using a cunning strategy to get away.
Origins of the term:
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).
If you say, "He's crazy like a fox," you are saying that person is smart and can outwit other people. The image I get is that the actions of a fox appear a little crazy but he is in fact acting in a brilliant manner to save himself.
2007-09-21 17:47:21 · answer #1 · answered by David Parker 4 · 2⤊ 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. If you say, "He's crazy like a fox," you are saying that person is smart and can outwit other people.
2007-09-22 00:45:30 · answer #2 · answered by fl_grkgrl 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Perhaps "crazy like a fox" means "cunning like a fox"? Well if it does, then that means that a person is very manipulative and deceitful. They have the means and power to twist the situation to their needs and usually lives behind a facade. Try to avoid those group of people unless you're one too (then it's okay). I have a friend like that and it drives me up the wall.
2007-09-22 00:44:40 · answer #3 · answered by Josie 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It means you appear to be crazy, but you are really clever as a fox is when it hunts!
2007-09-22 00:45:15 · answer #4 · answered by Whynot 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Foxes are thought to be very cunning.
2007-09-22 00:44:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It means not crazy at all but clever, smart.
2007-09-22 00:45:27 · answer #6 · answered by elysian fields 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
wow,...' who's that red head',
I have never heard it put that way .... AND !
I guess it works..yes ,it does !(if you are referring to a Man.....HA!
I always heard 'as clever as a fox in a hen house' ...........of course , I could be wrong..
it's been known to happen ......."twice"!!!
just kiddin' dear! ,Ms.Kate
2007-09-22 00:53:24 · answer #7 · answered by rrainn 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
did you get in a position to ask this question? Josie is right. It's cunning and deception.
2007-09-22 00:49:38 · answer #8 · answered by chilicooker_mkb 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sly, shrewd, to do the unexpected to obtain goals.
2007-09-22 00:44:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/20/messages/298.html
2007-09-22 00:45:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋