1940s
Still common
Definition
Gone a bit crazy, often from heat, isolation, or stress.
Example Sentence
"Stuck inside all week - I'm going troppo."
Where "Troppo" Comes From
"Troppo" comes from "tropical", coined by Australian servicemen stationed in the tropics during World War II to describe the mental strain of heat and isolation.
The term stuck and broadened well beyond the military into general slang for losing the plot.
How Aussies Actually Use It
It's used for anyone acting erratically or cracking under pressure, whether from actual heat or just a stressful week.
It's usually said with sympathy or humour rather than judgement - everyone goes a bit troppo sometimes.
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