10 Everyday Phrases That Came From Weird Historical Events

8. "Mad as a Hatter": A Toxic Legacy

The saying "mad as a hatter" describes someone eccentric or mentally unstable. Its origins lie in the 19th-century hat-making industry, where hatters were exposed to mercury nitrate used in the felting process. Prolonged mercury exposure caused a condition known as "hatter's shakes," characterized by tremors, hallucinations, and other neurological symptoms. This occupational hazard led to the stereotype of the "mad hatter," immortalized in Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." The phrase serves as a reminder of the industrial practices of the past and the impact of occupational hazards on language. It highlights how societal changes, such as improved safety standards, have transformed how we understand and use such expressions.