Why are Crazy People Called Mad as a Hatter?

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In this video:

Although the phrase “mad as a hatter” is, and will likely long be, associated with Charles Dodgson’s (a.k.a. Lewis Carroll’s) 1865 novel, Alice in Wonderland, contrary to popular belief, Carroll neither coined the phrase nor did he use it in his works. (The Hatter is referred to as “mad”, along with his little tea party, but he is never explicitly called “Mad Hatter” in Carroll’s works nor is the phrase “mad as a hatter” used.) So where did the phrase “mad as a hatter” actually come from?

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[TodayIFoundOut]

Ready for more crazy cool fact videos? Then check out this video about Not Guided By Policy- Hunter S. Thompson and the Birth of Gonzo Journalism:

[aeusbensonangobung]

I have a question: why does blue raspberry flavour exist?

[mattknight]

Another finely-crafted (hopefully, crafted in a well-ventilated area) video! Kudos for the quantity and quality of the output in 2017. Happy new year to all at TIFO! Keep up the good work.

[hereinsertname]

I already knew this, but watched the video anyway.

[JeremyWS]

I love channel. I love the content on this channel. I am always learning new things when watching videos on this channel. I love learning new things. I knew most of the info in this video, but it was still a good vide.

Great video. Keep up the good work.
Happy New Year.

[CoolAsFreya]

This is why I like this channel, I've heard the common story of "mad as a hatter" coming from hat makers using mercury, but no one ever goes into depth except you of the process how how Mercury was used as a nitrate solution which evaporated mercury vapour over time

[JeffinBville]

Living near Danbury, CT, (where a once vast hat making industry existed) the expression was almost always, "Mad as a Danbury Hatter"

[upaya]

"It will cost money..." Some things never change.

[ChuckKeough]

Simon, if you can retain just a small portion of all these interesting stories to memory I bet your the life of any party.

[HenkJanBakker]

There must be an interesting article in the way Lewis Carol uses more obscure imagery. Or how his use of imagery is used today. I mean many famous quotes reference his work. Like;
"... and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes." - Morpheus, from The Matrix
“We’re through the looking glass here” Jim Garrison, from JFK
Vorpal swords in DnD

[rango]

We're all mad down here





In the comment section

[loopslytle]

Happy New Years to everyone! Keep a smile on your face, hope in your heart and have a great 2018.

[vickievegas]

GREAT! Radium girls! chronic mercurial tremors! What we do to have cool HATS and watches that glow in the dark! ☠️

[StckMnky]

Another bonus fact: The mental health wards at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport are named after famous Hatmakers from the town.

[jucadvgv]

this was part of a thesis (had to be done both orally and in written form) that i wrote 20-odd yrs ago for an english class. i didn' like any of the "suggested" list and asked the professor if i could use something of kipling or carroll instead, and the professor said to use the "alice" books. got such a good grade in the class that i didn't have to take finals.

[craigcorson]

Thanks very much for the very enjoyable content you provide. Now - take a few days off to celebrate the New Year!

[CornfedKillerDude]

Fascinating topic, I can only imagine how horrible mercury poisoning symptoms really are. Frightening.

[JeffFrmJoisey]

Interesting. My Grandfather, who I never met, was a hat blocker for Stetson in New York City and before that a milliner in Europe. He died of cancer in 1942. After watching this I wonder if the cancer was caused by mercury. BTW - Happy New Year!! Thanks for teaching me new and interesting stuff!!

[mattkisko]

Those symptoms sound like my regular life

[JustinMcBrideVastalant]

Man, I went back and re-watched a few of your older videos and I gotta say... Simon, you look way better with the beard and glasses look than the clean shaven/no glasses look. Keep on keeping on, my friend!