She's as mad as a hatter

[Saneta]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #290 "English Slang Idioms (12)", question 7

Julie completely flipped out during her performance evaluation. She's as mad as a .........!

(a) hare
(b) boxer
(c) patient
(d) hatter

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #290 "English Slang Idioms (12)", answer 7

Julie completely flipped out during her performance evaluation. She's as mad as a hatter!

Correct answer: (d) hatter

Your answer was: incorrect
Julie completely flipped out during her performance evaluation. She's as mad as a hare!
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please explain:
to flip out and to be as mad as a hatter.
thank you.

[Our Tort System]

To flip out = become enraged/go mad.
Mad as a hatter = mad ("as a hatter" is an intensifier) There was a character named The Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland, I guess it takes its origin from that story
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"He who tries to establish his point by much yelling shows that his reasoning is weak"
-Jodi Ann Arias

[Beeesneees]

No, the origins are much earlier and possibly linked to the use of mercury in hat-making techniques:
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/mad-as-a-hatter.html
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"Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened."
Terry Pratchett

[Kati Svaby]

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It is an idiom. Now I saw why sb is mad as a hatter and since when we use this idiom.
Wikipedia:In 18th and 19th century England mercury was used in the production of felt, which was used in the manufacturing of hats common of the time. People who worked in these hat factories were exposed daily to trace amounts of the metal, which accumulated within their bodies over time, causing some workers to develop dementia caused by mercury poisoning (called mad hatter syndrome). Thus, the phrase became popular as a way to refer to someone who was perceived as insane.
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Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.