What is a mentalist?

**hobbes** · 03-22-2005, 02:48 PM

Most of the time I can figure out through context what you UKer's are attempting to say. I can find the precise American word for it.

I am having a problem with calling someone "mental" or a "mentalist".

The first time usage implied something about knowing something in the future so I thought it meant "psychic", but then Yogi says that if someone can't figure you out, then you are "mental". This would more imply "crazy".

What is the deal

In America calling someone "mental" could mean either crazy or mentally retarded, but for crazy it is usually "he is a mental case".

If:
mental=crazy?

Then:
mentalist= a psychiatrist, a psychic, still means crazy?

This is information I need to know.

**sArA** · 03-22-2005, 02:54 PM

Someone who is 'mental' refers to a 'nutter' or 'crack pot' i.e someone who is a bit off the wall. Usually refers to outrageous behaviour rather than mental illness.

A 'mentalist' could be a person who is cerebral in their outlook, one who undertakes IQ tests for fun or uses their mind to resolve situations in preference to the physical.

This is my take, in brief. I am sure there will be plenty more insight......come on Jpol, manker, snny, j2k4, clocker et al.....lets be having ya!

**MCHeshPants420** · 03-22-2005, 02:55 PM

http://www.urbandictionary.com/defin...=mentalist&r=f (Top one)

**TheDave** · 03-22-2005, 03:22 PM

i thought it was a psychic

**Barbarossa** · 03-22-2005, 03:35 PM

You have to have watched Alan Partridge.. in his case he used it to refer to an obsessive fan...

**UKResident** · 03-22-2005, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by MCHeshPants420

http://www.urbandictionary.com/defin...=mentalist&r=f (Top one)

3. mentalist
A person with a) a mental disorder, b) a penchant for doing things of a dangerous or "mental" nature
Fucking fuck off or I'll fuck you up the fucking A-hole you motherfucking fucker - don't you fucking look at me like that you fucking fuckstick, you think I won't fucking kill you, you unclefucking butfucker. Fuck off. What are you? some kind of mentalist?
Source: Simon "I'll cut you a new arse-hole you motherfucking shitstabber" Bonham, Dec 2, 2002

Classic!

**Mr JP Fugley** · 03-22-2005, 04:18 PM

I believe I may have used it first here, but I'm not sure.

It's from Alan Partridge, when he discovers a fan is actually a major stalker and shouts "You're a mentalist" at him, then runs away across a field.

He is describing him as being mentally ill.

I just noticed that colin had already discussed this, but as I had typed it anyway please consider this to be corroboration.

That is all.

**bigboab** · 03-22-2005, 04:27 PM

At present it stands for an Advocate of Mind-reading or Fortune Telling. But with more usage the Urban Dictionary 'Crazy' definition will find its way into the mainstream dictionaries.

What everybody else said.