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Where Does the “Plumb” in “Plumb Crazy” Come From?

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A woman in Hemet, California, wonders about plumb crazy, as in totally, completely crazy. The plumb in this case has to do with a plumb line, a line often weighted with lead to determine verticality. This plumb derives from Latin word for the element lead, plumbum, which is abbreviated on the periodic table as Pb. It has no etymological connect to the fruit plum. This is part of a complete episode.

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