ship of fools

English

Etymology

From ship +‎ of +‎ fools, a calque of German Narrenschiff. From a German poem named "Narrenschiff", published in 1494 by Sebastian Brant, about a ship carrying 112 passengers, each of whom represents a specific human foible, which sails into oblivion. The poem was translated into English in 1509 by Alexander Barclay. Brant may have been inspired by an allegory that first appeared in Book VI of Plato's Republic, about a ship with a dysfunctional crew.

Noun

ship of fools (plural ships of fools)

1. A country or organization that is poorly run by leaders who lack the expertise to cope with the problems that arise and equally inexpert subjects or members who attempt to influence those leaders.
   • 1985 September 10, “We Built This City”, in Knee Deep In The Hoopla, performed by Starship:

     Don’t tell us you need us, / ‘cause we’re the ship of fools; / looking for America, / coming through your schools!

   • 1986 October 14, “Everybody Have Fun Tonight”, in Mosaic, performed by Wang Chung:

     On the edge of oblivion / and all the world is Babylon; / and all the love, and everyone: / a ship of fools, sailing on.

   • 1998 April 10, “Ship of Fools”, in The Innocents, performed by Erasure:

     Ooh, do we not sail on the ship of fools? / Ooh, why is life so precious and so cruel?

Translations

Translations

• Dutch: narrenschip n
• French: nef des fous (fr) f