the lunatic fringe

lunatic fringe

The most extreme members or portion of a larger group of people. The group has widely been dismissed as the lunatic fringe of the religion, taking its most fundamentalist aspects and warping them into a cult-like ideology based on prejudice and hate. They're part of some lunatic fringe who believe that eating anything that dwells or grows above ground pollutes the body with toxins.
See also: fringe, lunatic
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the ˌlunatic ˈfringe

(disapproving) members of an organization or group who are more extreme than the others; extreme groups: It’s the lunatic fringe of the Animal Liberation Front which smashes the windows of butchers’ shops, not ordinary members like us.The word lunatic means crazy. It comes from the Latin word luna, meaning ‘moon’, because people believed that the changes in the moon caused temporary madness.
See also: fringe, lunatic
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

lunatic fringe, the

A minority group who have what others consider very extreme beliefs. The term was first used (and perhaps coined) by Theodore Roosevelt in History as Literature (1913): “There is apt to be a lunatic fringe among the votaries of any forward movement.” At first used mainly for political extremists, the expression was later extended to other venues, as by Diana Ramsay in Deadly Discretion (1973): “Antique shops were magnets for the lunatic fringe.”
See also: lunatic
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • lunatic
  • lunatic fringe
  • lunatic fringe, the
  • ginger group
  • in with, be
  • be in with (someone)
  • be/keep in with somebody
  • Mr Big
  • Mr. Big
  • like herding frogs
References in periodicals archive
Yesterday Minister Ross hit back, branding critics of the checkpoints "the lunatic fringe".
When will the message drive home? COMMENT 2nd floor, 9A Beckett Way, Park West Industrial Park, Clondalkin, Dublin 12 Tel: 01 868 8600, Fax 01 868 8626, irishmirror.ie
The Lunatic Fringe would prove to be invaluable to the cause the of Architect as, at the climax of the match, he delivered Dirty Deeds to the former NXT Champion on the outside - leaving a bloodied Rollins free to finish off Ziggler.
Seth Rollins dethrones Dolph Ziggler to clinch Intercontinental gold at Summerslam; It was an affair that had everything - a telling contribution by both Dean Ambrose and Drew McIntyre, some epic blows and even some blood
The A-Lister used a variety of distractions including scheming his wife Maryse to slap him while also pushing the Lunatic Fringe to the referee to force disqualification.
Samoa Joe reigns at Extreme Rules, earns Universal title shot
The 14-time World Champion has stepped into a behind-the-scenes role in recent years, however, this evening, he will be lacing up his boots to take on 'The Lunatic Fringe' Dean Ambrose.
Wrestling stars out for revenge
Either way, the Lunatic Fringe is the perfect perch for Miika to sit and survey the desecrated terrain that lies in his wake.
Miika Adamov
Soccer violence should be played down by the Press as publicity seems to excite the lunatic fringe of the supporters into further violence.
LETTER FROM THE PAST
THE Welsh Government now inhabits the lunatic fringe of British politics.
Welsh Government on lunatic fringe; FEEDBACK
Every pro and con that could be aired has been repeated ad nauseam, from the lunatic fringe to the most learned and famous.
Futile feud; & COMMENT DEBATE LETTERS
He added: "Once we start giving in to the lunatic fringe we would be as well packing up and going home.
I'M NOT SORRY; Ally won't back down
THE LUNATIC FRINGE, be it Tea Partier or Occupy Wall Streeter, holds sway in the US these days.
Cautiously optimistic
THE magical powers of Wayne Rooney's mop-top are a matter of public record, but he's not the only member of the lunatic fringe on show in today's Manchester derby - and that spells goals.
IT'S A HAIR-RAISING MANC SCORING FEST; BEST BETS
The lunatic fringe was also in evidence, pointlessly hurling missiles at police lines so far removed from the Royal party that they were never going to have even the most limited impact on the day's events.
Queen wins over Irish hearts; LIVERPOOL DAILY POST An independent newspaper Established in 1855
He is cursed with parents from well beyond the lunatic fringe and a senile granny.
Spud
Twenty years ago, when I first researched school councils as a young head, I was out on the lunatic fringe.
Rights and responsibility on timetable
As usual with the lunatic fringe, UKIP have got it wrong.
Letter: Brown is to blame over axe for Post Offices