1550s, from Latin insanus "mad, insane; outrageous, excessive, extravagant," from in- "not" (see in-(1)) + sanus "well, healthy, sane" (see sane). Originally only of persons; of actions, from 1842. Compare lunatic; and Italian pazzo "insane," originally a euphemism, from Latin patiens "suffering." German verrückt, literally past participle of verrücken "to displace," "applied to the brain as to a clock that is 'out of order' " [Buck]. The noun meaning "insane person" is attested from 1786.