In Cloud Cuckoo Land

On my writing blog I have been writing a series of articles about idioms, their origins and meanings. Some of these relate to birds in interesting ways. This is one of them.

“In cloud cuckoo land.”

Origins:

This idiom is a translation of the name of an imaginary city in a play called The Birds written by the Greek playwright Aristophanes in the fifth century BC. In this city the birds built in the air.

Meaning:

Anyone who lives “in cloud cuckoo land” has lost their grip on reality. Their thoughts or words or actions seem to be divorced from the ordinary aspects of life. In everyone’s estimation they are somewhat crazy, or misguided or just plain silly.

Example:

“If he thinks he will sell his house for that much, he is living in cloud cuckoo land.”