English Explanatory Dictionary

lunatics have taken over the asylum

English dictionary entry

Meanings

phrase
  1. Said of a situation in which those in charge are incapable of handling their responsibilities, and should rather be put under scrutiny themselves.

Pronunciation

En-au-lunatics have taken over the asylum.ogg

Word forms

lunatics have taken over the asylum the lunatics have taken over the asylum inmates running the asylum lunatics taking over the asylum inmates have taken over the asylum inmates taking over the asylum lunatics running the asylum

Etymology

Said to originate in a 1919 remark by Richard A. Rowland about the founding of United Artists. Perhaps an allusion to the short story by Edgar Allan Poe, The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether, first published 1845.

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