What does the simile barmy as a bed bug mean?

Answer 1

Mad, crazy as a bedbug

Answer 2

"barmy" just means crazy, mad

"as barmy as a bedbug" is from Roald Dahl's "Matilda" and is just one of many examples of his use of animal imagery for comedic effect.

It doesn't mean anything in itself, no-one would actually say this, as no-one would describe bedbugs as being crazy, and they aren't a creature associated with madness ;) unless you go mad with how itchy the bites are - I got bitten all over staying in a hostel in Rome once and it took a week for the bites to stop itching, another week for them to fade....

It's the juxtaposition of the two items which never usually appear together (unusual collocation) as well as the alliteration of 'b' which makes the simile amusing.

Answer 3

Well, isn't that just a happy little phrase! When someone says "barmy as a bed bug," they're comparing a person to a bed bug that's acting a bit silly or eccentric. Just like how bed bugs can be unpredictable and strange, this simile suggests that the person in question is behaving in a quirky or unusual way. It's a fun way to describe someone's unique personality or actions!