living in cloud cuckooland

The phrase "living in cloud cuckooland" refers to having unrealistically optimistic or impractical beliefs or ideas about the world. It describes a state of delusion, where a person or group is disconnected from reality and indulges in impractical or fanciful notions. It implies that someone is living in a fantastical or idealistic world, often characterized by naivety, irrationality, or excessive optimism. The term comes from the ancient Greek play "The Birds" by Aristophanes, where "Cloud Cuckooland" is depicted as a utopian city suspended in the clouds.