nutter

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "nutter" is considered acceptable in written English.
It is used as a slang term for a person who is considered crazy or eccentric. For example, "My uncle is such a nutter - he always wears his pyjamas to the supermarket!".

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Mine stretches from "highly gifted" in some people's eyes, to "nutter" in others.

The Guardian - Books

Just before Christmas, Osborne promised a budget surplus of £23bn by 2020 – thus opening himself up to the charge of being a deficit nutter and a mad shrink-the-stater.

The Guardian - Opinion

(Not everyone in Scotland walks around in a kilt, but everyone knows a nutter down the local pub who resembles the psychotic Begbie in Trainspotting, just as we have all dreamed that when the time comes for a brush with the law we will be arrested by a liberal, dope-smoking cop called Hamish).

The Guardian - Film

Automatically they think: he's a nutter.

The Guardian

Tonight though we had one bona-fide nutter, an elderly gent, well coifed and groomed, and claiming to represent an obscure organ of the Polish press.

The Economist

TONY BLAIR, after years as Britain's prime minister, remarked recently that religion and politics don't mix: a leader who invokes his faith is, he lamented, considered a "nutter".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Brows are now being furrowed at Threadneedle Street over the looming embarrassment of an extraordinary letter that Sir Edward George, the Bank's governor, may soon have to write to Gordon Brown, the chancellor of the exchequer.Sir Edward, once memorably accused of being an "inflation-nutter", has to meet the precise terms of the government's remit to the Bank for controlling inflation.

The Economist

Philadelphia's mayor, Michael Nutter, has already sacked workers, passed a temporary tax increase and stopped sweeping up leaves.

The Economist

Taxing Christmas trees Michael, more Anonymous no longer The thirsty road ahead Not so retiring The elusive progressive majority ReprintsMr Nutter managed to avoid mass lay-offs.

The Economist

The mayors of the state's two biggest cities, Philadelphia's Michael Nutter and Pittsburgh's Luke Ravenstahl, have both endorsed her.

The Economist

Michael Nutter, the mayor of Philadelphia, urged the primary-night crowd to "take about a five-hour break.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To soften the impact of "nutter", use it in a lighthearted or humorous context, showing awareness that it's a subjective label.

Common error

Avoid using "nutter" in professional or academic writing. Instead, opt for more appropriate terms like "unconventional", "eccentric", or "idiosyncratic" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "nutter" functions primarily as a noun, typically used in informal contexts to describe a person considered eccentric, crazy, or obsessed. Ludwig AI confirms it's slang.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Encyclopedias

9%

Independent

9%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nutter" is a colloquial noun primarily used in British English to describe someone eccentric or crazy. Ludwig AI indicates that while grammatically acceptable, its informal nature makes it unsuitable for formal contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the term serves to label individuals deviating from conventional norms, often with a dismissive or humorous tone. When writing, consider substituting "nutter" with more neutral terms like "eccentric" or "unconventional" in professional settings to maintain appropriate register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

loony

Synonymous slang term denoting craziness or eccentricity.

nutcase

Informal term for someone regarded as mentally unstable or foolish.

madman

Emphasizes uncontrolled and potentially dangerous insanity.

crackpot

Implies unconventional or bizarre beliefs and behaviors.

eccentric

Highlights unusual or quirky behavior, often in a harmless way.

weirdo

Describes someone perceived as strange or different from the norm.

fruitcake

A lighthearted slang term for someone considered slightly crazy.

screwball

Refers to an odd or unconventional person, often in a humorous way.

lunatic

A more extreme term suggesting severe mental instability.

maniac

Suggests violent or wildly irrational behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "nutter" in a sentence?

You can use "nutter" to describe someone eccentric or crazy, for example: "He's a complete nutter, always coming up with wild ideas."

What is a less offensive way to say "nutter"?

Alternatives include "eccentric", "unconventional", or "quirky" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to call someone a "nutter" in professional settings?

No, "nutter" is a slang term and is not appropriate for professional or formal settings. Use more neutral and respectful language instead.

What's the difference between "nutter" and "psychopath"?

"Nutter" is a general term for someone eccentric or crazy, while "psychopath" refers to a person with a specific personality disorder characterized by a lack of empathy and manipulative behavior.