Dictionary definition of “land of fruit and nuts”

land of fruit and nuts

n. California. Subjects: California, English, Derogatory

Editorial Note: A reference to both the agricultural bounty of California and the stereotypical image of Californians as being other than normal, fruit n., ‘a crazy person’ and nuts adj., ‘crazy.’ Usually jocular but sometimes derogatory.

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Citations: 1970 Terry Galanoy Chicago Tribune (Aug. 30) “Ted Liss—talent polisher” p. 42: You can make book on some of the people who were there. That is, if you get a chance to see them peform before some midnight rider from the William Morris Agency makes off with them to the land of fruits and nuts. 1982 Al Strachan Globe and Mail (Toronto, Can.) (Sept. 7) “NFC West holds surprises Falcons should soar; 49ers must dig deep” p. P61: Last year, San Francisco 49ers came out of the land of fruits and nuts to surprise almost everyone and become NFL champions. 1990 Ronald Reagan An American Life (Nov. 15) p. 201 @ (Oct. 1, 1999): In the presidential race, I knew we’d have to confront a different stereotype: the bias many Northeeasterns held against Californians—the one that says since California is a land of fruit and nuts, it’s a great place if you’re an orange. 2003 Mary Starrett NewsWithViews.com (May 14) “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up”: From the land of fruit and nuts comes word of the Oreo lawsuit. A San Francisco lawyer has sued Kraft foods because the popular cookies contain “trans fats.”

Posted 25 Jul 05 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Reader comments:

I can’t cite any old print references, but that phrase was current in the 1940s.

by dougkat 11 Aug 05, 1138 GMT

This is, indeed, an oldie but goodie - we used to say California was like granola- nuts, fruits and flakes.

by sarakeating 18 Aug 05, 1015 GMT

The only time I’ve ever heard of this phrase was in direct reference to San Francisco. Where fruit meant gay people and nuts meant crazy people. Perhaps because I grew up in California I’ve only heard this version.

by Gabe 16 Mar 07, 0902 GMT