Off the Wall

[Hippy]

The recent (late 20th Ct.) expression 'Off the wall' seems to mean variously; an impromptu and possibly ill considered response to a question, or a subject or verbal treatment that is not in accord with the majority view. I wonder, what is its origin, and what is the consensus on its meaning?

[geofbob]

"Off the wall" usually means unconventional, odd-ball or even bizarre; such a view might well be impromptu, ill-considered or in the minority - as you mention. It's generally considered to arise from the game of Squash, where the ball flies at the players with varying speeds or angles (especially off the side-wall). But by now the expression may also include a reference to grafitti in many users' minds - grafitti being sometime another source of original thinking.