call me crazy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "call me crazy" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when someone disagrees with what you are saying or doing and you want to express that you are ok with that fact and that you are willing to take on the responsibility for the opinion. For example, "I think it would be a great idea to take a road trip across the country. Call me crazy, but I think it would be an amazing experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

[Laughs] Call me crazy.

The Guardian - Film

Call me mad, call me crazy".

Independent

Call me crazy if I'm wrong.

The New York Times

"Call me crazy," Mr. Kelly said.

The New York Times

Call me crazy, but no baby for me, please!

The New Yorker

Call me crazy, but that doesn't sound like certainty.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Many people call me crazy, but I'm very confident that I can develop a Cavendish replacement".

The New Yorker

Call me crazy, but I think bar examiners ought to follow the law.

The New York Times

"Call me crazy, but look for a guy connected to his luggage".

The New Yorker

But it would be surprising if people didn't call me crazy.

The New Yorker

"You guys can call me crazy, but I'm excited about Tyler Palko tonight," he said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "call me crazy" to preface a statement that you know might be viewed as unconventional, controversial, or simply optimistic.

Common error

While "call me crazy" can add personality, avoid using it excessively in your writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "call me crazy" functions as an idiomatic expression used to preface a statement that the speaker recognizes might be viewed as unconventional, bold, or even foolish. It's a way of inviting the listener to disagree while simultaneously asserting the speaker's conviction. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "call me crazy" is a versatile idiomatic phrase used to preface potentially controversial or unconventional statements. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correct and common usage, particularly within News & Media. While grammatically sound, it's best used sparingly to avoid repetition. Alternative phrases like "think what you want" offer similar sentiment. As Ludwig suggests, it signals awareness that one's opinion might be seen as unusual, but they're standing by it anyway.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

think what you want

This alternative shifts the focus to the listener's perception, implying indifference to their judgment.

say what you will

This phrase highlights the speaker's defiance against potential criticism.

judge if you want

Similar to "think what you want", but places greater emphasis on external judgment and the speaker's acceptance of it.

I might be wrong

This phrase acknowledges the possibility of error, but still allows the speaker to express their opinion.

maybe I'm wrong

A variation of "I might be wrong", this phrase has a slightly more casual tone.

I could be wrong but

This is a more complete version of the previous similar example; the presence of 'but' shows the speaker is aware of disagreement.

if you ask me

This phrase suggests the speaker's opinion is unsolicited, yet they are still willing to share it.

for what it's worth

This phrase indicates the speaker's opinion might not be valuable, but they offer it nonetheless.

shoot me for saying this

This phrase is a more aggressive expression of the idea that their opinion may be unpopular.

stone me if I'm wrong

This is a rare and archaic version of the idiom.

FAQs

How can I use "call me crazy" in a sentence?

Use "call me crazy" to introduce an opinion or idea that you anticipate others might find surprising, bold, or unconventional. For example, "Call me crazy, but I think we should invest all our resources into this project."

What does "call me crazy" mean?

The phrase "call me crazy" is a way of acknowledging that what you are about to say or suggest might be perceived as foolish or unrealistic, but you believe it nonetheless.

Which is more appropriate, "call me crazy" or "am I crazy"?

"Call me crazy" is a rhetorical device used to introduce an opinion, while "am I crazy?" is a genuine question asking for reassurance or validation. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

What are some similar phrases to "call me crazy"?

Alternatives to "call me crazy" include phrases like "think what you want", "say what you will", or "I might be wrong", each carrying slightly different nuances.