Dictionary

screwball en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• /ˈskɹuːbɔːl/
• (US) audio

Etymology

From screw + ball. Compare typologically German Spinner (akin to spin). Also compare weirdo and weird, from Old English wyrd (“fate”), ultimately derived from Proto-Indo-European *wert- (“to turn, to spin”).

Meanings

1. (derogatory, informal) Crazy, offbeat, bizarre, zany, or weird.
   • Also a big hand for Silver Linings Playbook, an exuberant modern screwball comedy we had, in an unseemly fit of cynicism, deemed "too entertaining" for Academy voters. 2013 January 11, Tom Shone, The Guardian:
   • Unleashed as part of the second wave of Nicktoons, Rocko's Modern Life introduced young viewers to the sort of existential crises that adults face daily, all while delighting both kids and grownups with witty observational humor, screwball characters, and subversive gags. 2020, Christopher J. Olson, CarrieLynn D. Reinhard, The Greatest Cult Television Shows of All Time, page 170:

Forms

Deriveds

screwball comedy

Relateds

oddball · goofball

Translations (3)

de absurd (crazy, offbeat, bizarre) · de hirnverbrannt (crazy, offbeat, bizarre) · de verrückt (crazy, offbeat, bizarre)

screwball en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈskɹuːbɔːl/
• (US) audio

Etymology

From screw + ball. Compare typologically German Spinner (akin to spin). Also compare weirdo and weird, from Old English wyrd (“fate”), ultimately derived from Proto-Indo-European *wert- (“to turn, to spin”).

Meanings

1. A pitch thrown with added pressure by the index finger and a twisting wrist motion resulting in a motion to the right when thrown by a right-handed pitcher.
   • The screwball is not thrown much because it tends to damage pitcher's arms.
2. (US, derogatory, informal) One who behaves in a crazy manner.
   • I will not listen to this screwball any longer.
3. A screwball comedy.

Forms

Translations (11)

fr fêlé (crazy person) · de Verrückter (crazy person) · de Spinner (crazy person) · ko 스크루볼 (type of pitch) · de Screwball (type of pitch) · fi sekopää (crazy person) · de Irrer (crazy person) · ja スクリュー (type of pitch) · ro țicnit (crazy person) · de hirnverbrannter Typ (crazy person) · bg чешит (crazy person)