Definitions by bondo01

basketcase

Basketcase started common usage in the 1950-1970's in reference to mechanical parts disassembled by the owner and whom the ability to re-assemble the object in working order is non-existent. Thus the disassembled item is brought to a competent repair person to reconstruct the item into a working state.

A customer came in today with a carburetor in pieces in a cardboard box... he had taken it completely apart and forgot where all the pieces went. It was a total basketcase.

basketcase by bondo01 May 19, 2026