Odd expression

[Michael Quinion]

A subscriber has written as follows:

> I have always heard my father say the phrase "boccatadi papason".
> He says he heard it often while in the navy during the Korean
> conflict. It has become a joke among our family, especially
> because dad can't remember what it means.  He says it something
> like "crazy dad".  The other day I was teasing my mom in the store,
> and an older couple seemed to be shocked and highly offended at
> what I said.  Now I'm curious - what exactly does it mean?

Could somebody help him to an answer?

--
Michael Quinion
Editor, World Wide Words
E-mail: <TheEditor at worldwidewords.org>
Web: <http://www.worldwidewords.org/>