What is the meaning of "rant and rave"? What does "rant and rave" mean? http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/rant+and+rave

Usually a "rant" is complaining about something (person, place, thing, idea) in detail to others maybe to just get it off your chest/mind. Example: He ranted about the horrible food he had at a restaurant so no one else would have the same experience. Rave is giving good praise about a person, place or thing, idea for others to try. Example: The rave review in the paper increased the attendance for the following shows for a production.

A "rave review" is a special case. It is an ironically reversed meaning. It means a good review... one that is so good that the reviewer seems to have lost control, lost all critical ability, and is simply gushing praise. The idea is that the reviewer has gone insane with delight and is raving. "So-and-so's thriller takes us on an epic rollercoaster ride of suspense and excitement. The pace never flags. Every sentence of this incredible blockbuster explodes with dynamic action and vivid excitement, and yet it is rich in sensitive character development as well as hot romance. So-and-so is the author of the century, and if you only read one book in your life, this is the book you should read. You will want to buy ten copies to give to your friends."

It means to talk for a long time, in a way that is angry, crazy, and does not make sense. "Ranting" in particular implies anger. "I want this dinner to go nicely, so whatever you do, please don't bring up the subject of politics with Ed or all he will do is rant and rave about Roosevelt." It's not angry, so it is not ranting; but this famous passage is a good example of raving. It was intentionally written as nonsense, in order to challenge an actor who claimed he could memorize anything: "So she went into the garden to cut a cabbage leaf, to make an apple pie; and at the same time a great she-bear coming up the street, pops its head into the shop. 'What! no soap?' So he died, and she very imprudently married the barber; and there were present the Picninnies, and the Joblillies, and the Garyulies, and the grand Panjandrum himself, with the little round button at top; and they all fell to playing the game of catch as catch can, till the gunpowder ran out at the heels of their boots." In Shakespeare's play "King Lear," Lear rants and raves. An example: No, no, no, no! Come, let's away to prison: We two alone will sing like birds i' the cage: When thou dost ask me blessing, I'll kneel down, And ask of thee forgiveness: so we'll live, And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh At gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues Talk of court news; and we'll talk with them too, Who loses and who wins; who's in, who's out; And take upon's the mystery of things, As if we were God's spies: and we'll wear out, In a wall'd prison, packs and sects of great ones, That ebb and flow by the moon.