O frazeologii wyrosłej z szaleństwa

The article characterises word combinations originating in real situations and events related to the category of madness. It discusses phraseologisms of the origins generally unintelligible to the modern user of the Polish language, for example, statek szaleńców/głupców; ktoś bredzi/plecie jak Piekarski na mękach; ktoś położył się/kładzie się Rejtanem or umieścić/wylądować u czubków. It is not commonly known that ships of fools did exist in the days of old. Today hardly anyone can remember the unpredictable nature of nobleman Michał Piekarski or MP Tadeusz Rejtan. Few speakers can explain why mentally ill persons are commonly called czubki. The article also draws attention to constructions involving proper names – localities with hospitals for the mentally ill, for example, trafić do Lublińca, kandydat do Tworek. All the described phraseologisms are an interesting cultural document that records various forms of madness in old times.