😤 Hopping Mad
Hopping mad—Extremely angry. The term implies that one is so enraged that they might jump up and down or hop about. It originated in the early nineteenth century in the United States. One of Seba Smith’s humorous political letters stated, “I had a long talk with the General … he was hopping mad” (The Life and Writings of Major Jack Downing, 1833).
Synonyms:
- Fuming: Boiling with rage, much like an overheated engine.
- Seething: Showing barely contained and intense anger.
- Livid: So mad you could turn a deep shade of purple.
- Peeved: Mildly irritated, bordering on “mess with me and see what happens.”
- Seeing red: On the verge of a bullfight-ready frenzy.
Antonyms:
- Calm: Buddha-esque serenity.
- Composed: Master class in keeping it together.
- Tranquil: Calm like a still pond in the morning.
- Unperturbed: Unshakable, even by the fiercest backhanded compliment.
- Cool as a cucumber: The ultimate in cool, crisp composure.
Humor-Filled Quotes:
- “I’m not saying I’m mad; but if you were on fire and I had water, I’d drink it.” — Anonymous
- “The best way to avoid disappointment is to not expect much from people… and possibly keep a hopping mat handy.” — Chester Rushingham
Related Idioms and Expressions:
- Blow a gasket: To lose one’s temper.
- Hit the ceiling: Exhibit an outrageous level of anger.
- Blow one’s top: Sudden, explosive anger.
- Fly off the handle: To react in a volatile manner.
- Steamed up: Getting increasingly agitated.
- Hot under the collar: Experiencing strong indignation or rage.
Proverbs:
- “Anger is one letter short of danger.”
- “For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness.”
- “He who angers you conquers you.”
Cultural References:
- Literature: Examine the tempestuous wrath of Achilles in “The Iliad” by Homer.
- Books: Dive into the steam-powered fury of Heathcliff in “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë.
- Songs: Simmer down with “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette.
- Poetry: Explore Shakespeare’s visceral anger in his sonnets.
- Movies: Watch “Anger Management,” starring Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson, for some fury-filled fun.
Intriguing Titles:
- “😡 Fired Up: The Best Ways to Describe Anger with Idioms 🌋”
- “🔥 Burning with Rage: A Comprehensive Guide to Expressions of Fury 📚”
- “😤 Hopping Mad and Then Some: The Lighter Side of Feeling Furious 🤬”
- “🥵 Boiling Over: The Idiom Lover’s Toolbox for Describing Anger 🔧”
### Which of these is an actual idiom used to describe extreme anger?
- [x] Hopping mad
- [ ] Running with eagles
- [ ] Skating on happiness
- [ ] Eating a smile sandwich
> **Explanation:** “Hopping mad” is the real deal here, used to describe someone who's exceedingly angry, potentially hopping around with rage. The rest? Imaginative, but nonsensical.
### Which of these phrases means someone is very angry?
- [ ] Sleeping like a cat
- [x] Seeing red
- [ ] Laughing in a waterfall
- [ ] Talking with butterflies
> **Explanation:** "Seeing red" is a vivid idiom describing someone who's very, very angry. A catnap or a butterfly chat? Not so much.
### True or False: 'Blow a gasket' is used to describe being irritated.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True! “Blow a gasket” is often used to describe someone who is extremely irritated or angry, as if they’re about to explode like an engine under pressure.
Dear Reader,
Remember, idioms are the spices in the stew of language, adding flavor and complexity. So, whenever you find yourself ‘hopping mad’ 🐇😡, know that you’re adding just a dash of human seasoning to the rich broth of existence. Keep calm, stay whimsical, and hop on!
Yours thoughtfully,
I.M. Fuming
