adjective

• crazy, irrational. Note: theorized that the term is a vague allusion to the "jack-in-the-box" toys, a box containing a head mounted on a spring that would pop open after a crank had been turned. The head would then bounce around. The unpredictable motion of the toy could be likened to someone who is "out of the box."

  I don't know what her problem is, but she's completely out of the box!

  by John Smith, Phoenix, AZ, USA, Jun 21 1997.

• corporate-speak for "in a novel way." Typically used to refer to solving a problem or task. Often used with the verb "think." Has become cliche. Also outside (of) the box.

  We've got to think out of the box on this one.

  by Anonymous, Jul 09 2007.

verb

• to stick one's head up out of a cubicle to look at something. The term comes from prairie dogs, who burrow in the ground. In a field with prairie dogs, if there's a loud noise, typically many of them will pop their heads up out of the ground.

  by Kevin H., Cedar Rapids, IA, USA, Nov 29 2001.

• to need to defecate so badly that the feces is coming out a bit, as a prairie dog looking out of its burrow.

  I was trying to hold in my poop which caused me to prairie dog.

  by Nick M., Washington, DC, USA, Feb 23 2003.