Going Bodmin

The phrase, "going Bodmin" refers to the Cornwall County Asylum opened in Westheath Avenue, Bodmin in 1815, much of which is still in existence, although it has now been turned into housing. The phrase, "gone" or "going Bodmin", relates to this and actually means, "going mad" or "simple". Indeed, if you describe someone as being, "a bit Bodmin", you are saying that they are not in full control of their mental faculty!

There was even an episode of the Cornish TV sitcom Doc Martin which used this definition when they named an episode, "Going Bodmin"!

Besides which, if you ask any proper Cornishman about the people who live in Bodmin, he'll tell you that they tend to be a strange bunch...

Basically, if someone is referred to as "going Bodmin" or being, "a bit Bodmin", then he/she "ain't right in the head"!

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