Certain sets of words in the English language tend to confuse people. I have found the following to be among them:
BALMY / BARMY
The adjective balmy has two main meanings: 1) soothing or mild, and 2) crazy or foolish. The word barmy, also an adjective, has two meanings as well: 1) full of froth or ferment (from the 15th Century), and 2) balmy (meaning crazy or foolish),which is British slang from the late 19th Century. So balmy and barmy can have the same meaning, depending on usage.
INCORRECT: There’s nothing more lovely than a stroll after dinner on a barmy summer evening.
CORRECT: There’s nothing more lovely than a stroll after dinner on a balmy summer evening.
CORRECT: I agree the dude’s a bit balmy, but I assure you he’s harmless.
ALSO CORRECT: I agree the bloke’s a bit barmy, but I assure you he’s harmless.
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