Stir crazy is a phrase that dates to about 1925 according to http://www.word-detective.com and 1908 according to online Etymology Dictionary. Used among cons in prison, it referred to a prisoner who became mentally unbalanced because of prolonged incarceration. It is based upon the slang stir (1851) to mean prison.

It is now used to refer to anyone that becomes restless from being stuck in one place too long, with a similiar meaning to Cabin Fever.

See also

• Cabin Fever

References

• http://www.word-detective.com/back-k.html
• http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=stir-crazy
• "Dictionary of American Underworld Lingo" (Twayne Publishers, 1950)