Mad As a Hatter (Origin)

by Craig Shrives

What Is the Origin of the Saying "Mad As a Hatter"?

To be as mad as a hatter means to be crazy or to behave unpredictably.

The term comes from the hat-making industry in the middle ages, which used the highly toxic mercury nitrate in the hat’s rim. The people who made these hats would often suffer poisoning which would make them act oddly. Therefore, many hatters were assumed to be crazy.

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As Mad As a Hatter (Origin)

Examples of Use:

  • His behavior became increasingly erratic, leading people to believe he was as mad as a hatter.
  • She had a wild imagination and unconventional ideas, earning her the reputation of being as mad as a hatter.
  • The character in the story was portrayed as as mad as a hatter, adding a touch of eccentricity to the narrative.
  • While his actions may seem nonsensical to others, he's just as mad as a hatter in his own unique way.

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What are idioms? What is figurative language? A list of common grammar errors A list of easily confused words A list of sayings and proverbs