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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > What does "closet psycho" mean?
What does "closet psycho" mean?

carinita
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What does "closet psycho" mean?
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I found that expression while reading an article about DATING:
Want more Dream Dates than Dating Disasters? Top Ten Dating Do �s and Don �ts
So that you don �t have to read the whole article I extracted a paragraph:
- Don�t make snap judgments about your date. Unless he�s a complete snooze or a closet psycho, give him a fair shot before writing him off. You may come to regret the hasty rejection of a potential love of a lifetime.
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27 Sep 2011
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Zora
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In my opinion, I �d say that they mean that this person is psycho but tries to hide it. Hence the "closet" reference. If you are in the closet, you are often in denial of something.
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27 Sep 2011
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douglas
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A "closet" anything is somebody that tries to keep that fact about them hidden from the public.
A closet psycho would be someone that is psycho (psychotic, crazy), but keeps it pretty well hidden.
When dating, an example of a closet psycho would be someone that appears to be a "dream" partner, they meet all of your expectations and you can see yourself falling in love wth them and then one date they suddenly ask you if they can tie you up and make you watch as they walk around their apartment wearing a rubber duck suit and flapping their "wings" and quacking. 
In the context written, a closet psycho would be someone that you notice to be crazy/psychotic/extremely weird.
Douglas |
27 Sep 2011
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carinita
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Ah! Yes! There �s an idiomatic expression "skeletons in the closet" I wasn �t sure whether it was linked to the idea of privacy so I posted the question
Funny example, Douglas! I understood perfectly  |
27 Sep 2011
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ueslteacher
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Could it refer to people who have some weird altars in their closets? Sophia |
27 Sep 2011
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yanogator
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Yes, Douglas has it right. Bruce |
27 Sep 2011
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carinita
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What kind of altars, Sophia? |
27 Sep 2011
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edrodmedina
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@carinita...it has nothing to do with altars. Douglas is right. Ed |
27 Sep 2011
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carinita
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It �s ok edrod. I �m just asking because I �m curious. |
27 Sep 2011
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ueslteacher
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I was just speculating, you know. In movies they sometimes have such a psycho character, who has a secret altar in a closet, sort of like a fetish with somebody �s photos or doll heads and stuff like that. I do realize this is not the common meaning for the phrase, but could it also be used in the case I �ve mentioned? Sophia
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28 Sep 2011
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Sainte-Marie
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Oh, my, so funny, Douglas! Quite entertaining! And I think, when a person is so much serious and always quiet, grumpy and doesn �t talk it �s also kinda "a closet psycho" -- Beware of a silent dog and still water. Why to bottle up your feelings , thoughts, emotions...
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28 Sep 2011
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