Etymology Map
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Loco

2 stages from Spanish to English.

Today it means crazy

Where does the word "loco" come from? It comes from Spanish loco, adopted directly into English (1840s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
loco
Spanish · medieval
"crazy"
mad, of uncertain origin
2
Stage 2 of 2
loco
American English · 1840s
"crazy"
'locoweed', named in the 1870s, drove grazing cattle and horses into a frenzy
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Loco’s story begins in Spanish: loco meant “crazy.” Mad, of uncertain origin. It reached English by 1840s as loco. 'locoweed', named in the 1870s, drove grazing cattle and horses into a frenzy. Today, loco means crazy.