Mad As Hatter Dry As A Bone

So, you've heard the phrase "mad as a hatter," right? I mean, who hasn't? But have you ever stopped to wonder, where on earth did that come from? I mean, really, what's so mad-making about hats? Let's dive in, shall we?

Tea Time Troubles

Alright, picture this: it's the 17th century, England. Tea's the new black, and everyone's chugging it like there's no tomorrow. But here's the thing, tea wasn't always so easy to come by. It was pricey, and the water wasn't exactly... clean. So, what's a thirsty Brit to do?

Enter mercury. Yep, you heard me right. Mercury was used to purify the water, making it safe to drink. Sounds great, right? Wrong. Mercury's not exactly... harmless. It seeps into your system, and before you know it, you're having a grand old time talking to your teapot. And that, my friend, is where our mad hatter comes in.

Mercury Madness

You see, hatters back then used mercury to treat felt. It made the hats all soft and lovely. But here's the kicker - they didn't exactly have safety protocols back then. So, they'd breathe in those mercury fumes all day, every day. And wouldn't you know it, they started going a little... mad. Hence, the "mad as a hatter."

COBENFY (xanomeline + trospium), related meds—and all things muscarinic

But here's where it gets even weirder. The symptoms of mercury poisoning? Tremors, slurred speech, erratic behavior - sounds like the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland, doesn't it? Yep, that's not a coincidence. Lewis Carroll based his character on a real-life hatter he knew.

Dry as a Bone

Now, let's switch gears a bit. Ever found yourself in a situation where you're so thirsty, you're "dry as a bone"? I mean, who hasn't? But where did that phrase come from?

COBENFY (xanomeline + trospium), related meds—and all things muscarinic

Well, it's actually quite literal. In the olden days, when someone was really, really thirsty, they'd say they were "dry as a bone." You see, bones are pretty much the driest things around. I mean, have you ever tried to squeeze water out of a bone? Exactly.

And there you have it! Two phrases, two totally different meanings, but both rooted in history. So, the next time you're feeling a little mad or thirsty, you can thank (or blame) history for the phrases you're using.