# Ape Shit **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 25, 2002, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ape-shit/138678 "2002-11-25T15:32:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ape-shit/138678/1 "2002-11-25T15:32:19Z")
When did this phrase come into use and why? As in “The kid is going ape shit over his new Gameboy”. Does it have to do with apes throwing thier shit? Or getting shitty when things get exciting? ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ape-shit/138678/2 "2002-11-25T15:34:19Z")
We used it in the '70’s. My brother used to say " don’t get him upset ! remember, ape shit stinks" ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ape-shit/138678/3 "2002-11-25T15:37:41Z")
Hey, I asked this many moons ago. I can’t find the link, though. Something about apes throwing their shit around when excited. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ape-shit/138678/4 "2002-11-25T15:41:10Z")
Primates are known to fling feces when flustered. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ape-shit/138678/5 "2002-11-25T15:54:38Z")
They’re considered less evolved than we who merely draw mustaches on each other with the stuff. ---
**Author:** ![NotMrKnowItAll](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/6bbea6/32.png) [@NotMrKnowItAll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NotMrKnowItAll)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ape-shit/138678/6 "2002-11-25T15:57:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lieu \* > \*\*They’re considered less evolved than we who merely draw mustaches on each other with the stuff. \*\* This is the first I’ve ever heard of this. **lieu** you draw mustaches with poo-sticks? ---
**Author:** ![Amfet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@Amfet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amfet)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ape-shit/138678/7 "2002-11-25T17:28:39Z")
Could **lieu** be refering to _The Dirty Sanchez_ !??! Sorry not gonna provide a link or even search for one from work.:eek: ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ape-shit/138678/8 "2002-11-25T17:30:16Z")
Bingo, and neither will I. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ape-shit/138678/9 "2002-11-25T17:37:53Z")
**lieu** , you _clever_ thing. **I** know what you’re referring to ~ I remeber thinking it was the only post in that thread worth reading ~ ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ape-shit/138678/10 "2002-11-25T19:22:33Z")
I attempted to obtain a small quanity of “ape shit” from a zoo about 10 years ago for a gag gift. The zookeeper saw no humor in my request and said no. ---
**Author:** ![Pashnish\_Ewing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8797f3/32.png) [@Pashnish\_Ewing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pashnish_Ewing)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ape-shit/138678/11 "2002-11-25T21:53:18Z")
I bet the phrase started out as “going ape.” It probably became popular after the original King Kong movie, meaning to throw a fit or stomp about with anger. You know, climb buildings and whatnot. Eventually the “shit” was tacked on for added emphasis only. Further WAG - The the phrase “Going Bananans” followed “Going Ape” shortly thereafter. Pash ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2002, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ape-shit/138678/12 "2002-11-26T00:01:01Z")
First cite from 1951-52. Probably came from “going ape.” As **pashnish** said. Similarly, _batshit_ came around WWII. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2002, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ape-shit/138678/13 "2002-11-26T19:57:57Z")
Did going apeshit used to imply, more specifically, panic or fear? Gorillas leave fecal “fear trails” when frightened, for example when being pursued by poachers. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2002, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ape-shit/138678/14 "2002-11-26T20:43:17Z")
**Samclem** and **pashnish** have the right answers.