AIBU to ask if the term "Swivel eyed loon" is OK to use?

[PampassGrass56]

Somone used this term today. I was wondering if it is socially unacceptable /non PC to use this terminology?

Still sniggering about this.

I'm surprised that Luna is a popular name.

I find 'swivel eyed loon' shocking, because I've not actually heard it before. As I said, a good insult should be shocking. It should also amuse you to say it or to hear somebody called it. So it fits the bill for me.
The R word is no longer shocking or amusing, its just offensive.

Since lunatic is derived from luna rather than the reverse, I wouldn’t think of the former when I hear the latter. Many people will know the word from Spanish, Italian, etc., and in most British accents it sounds the same as ‘lunar’ so the associations are all with the moon.

I quite like it.

I rather like the phrase and would use it among friends, but not at work where things are quite PC and it would be seen as very inappropriate because most of our clients have MH issues.

I assumed Footle was being droll

I also thought that the expression originated from the bird.

Such a shame we are losing colourful idiomatic language- it needs to go, now we understand ableism a bit more, but I do miss the colour.
Equally all the old sayings- a stitch in time saves nine, etc. They held so much wisdom along with their colour!

Yes, I love all the old fashioned sayings too!

There’s nothing offensive about ‘a stitch in time…’

No, of course. There are plenty of colourful phrases with no unpleasant history. We probably all use a few that we’re unaware are problematic, though.

And whichever kind they are, today’s language seems bland.

Tbh it’s a cracking insult and one that I have no issue with using amongst friends.

I've had mental health issues and I also have a squint. I hereby give you full permission to use this term. It's too funny not to use.

100% Yes to this. ^ No-one is ever referring to a bird when they call someone a loon.

I find swivel eyed loon quite offensive. And just because you have suffered from mental health issues, and don't find it offensive, that doesn't mean that others are not allowed to find it offensive, and they don't deserve to be mocked and derided if they do.

This 'well I don't find it insulting therefore it's OK' train of thought pisses me off.

This ‘well i find it offensive so therefore it’s not OK’ train of thought pisses me off.

Look at Suella, Nadine, Rees Mogg, Farage et al and their supporters. The description of them as swivel eyed loons cannot be improved upon. They are fanatics and well described.

Perhaps we need to make ‘pop-eyed zealot’ popular. Think that’s ok. Can’t use maniac.

It's a good if slightly overused phrase.

It's moronic/cretinous/half-witted to get offended by other people's turns of phrase (knock yourself out with those).

I have not heard the phrase before… but love it!
I plan to use at the earliest opportunity!

🤣🤣🤣

Some people need to stop looking for things to be offended by.

Fit like loon?

Far hav ye bin quine?

I like being a quine!

It's the Doric.

I knew there was a bird called loon but I had always assumed they were named after lunatics and not the other way round, which had me confused! It’s always confusing when birds or animals have names like “bunting” which also mean something completely different.