hopping mad: Idiom Meaning and Origin

The idiom "hopping mad" is a common expression used in colloquial English to describe someone who is extremely angry or furious. The origin of this idiom is not perfectly clear, but it has been in use since at least the early 19th century.

One possible explanation for the origin of the idiom is that "hopping" is used here in the sense of jumping or leaping, conveying the idea of someone being so angry that they are figuratively jumping up and down in rage. This interpretation is supported by the fact that "hopping" has been used historically as an intensifier, as in phrases like "boiling mad" or "hopping mad."

Another theory suggests that the idiom may have originated from the phrase "mad as a hare," which has a similar connotation of extreme anger. Hares are known for their ability to leap and bound rapidly, and this physical characteristic may have contributed to the association between anger and hopping.

It is worth noting that the use of animals in idiomatic expressions to convey emotions is quite common in English. Animals are often used metaphorically to describe certain emotional states. In the case of "hopping mad," the idiom fits within this broader pattern of using animals to represent emotional intensity.

The idiom "hopping mad" is widely used in both spoken and written English, particularly in informal contexts. The phrase conveys a sense of intense anger or fury, and its figurative nature draws upon the association between anger and physical movement, specifically the concept of jumping or leaping.

When someone is hopping mad, they are not merely angry. They are "boiling mad," as the related idiom suggests. This phrase emphasizes the intensity of their anger, likening it to the boiling point of water. When someone reaches this state of anger, they are no longer able to control their emotions and may become irrational or explosive.

The idiom "hit the roof" is another related expression that describes the extreme anger associated with being hopping mad. This phrase suggests that someone's anger has reached such a high level that it metaphorically causes them to hit the ceiling. When someone hits the roof, they may lash out verbally, physically, or both, as their anger becomes uncontrollable.

Similarly, the phrase "rip-snorting mad" is another idiomatic expression that conveys the same level of anger as being hopping mad. The word "rip-snorting" intensifies the degree of anger, suggesting a level of fury that is wild and untamed, like a raging bull. When someone is rip-snorting mad, they are beyond reason and may engage in reckless or aggressive behavior.

Although these idioms have slightly different connotations, they all share a common theme of extreme anger or fury. They convey the idea that when someone is hopping mad, their anger has reached a boiling point, causing them to hit the roof and become rip-snorting mad.

The enduring popularity and widespread usage of the idiom "hopping mad," as well as the related idioms "boiling mad," "hit the roof," and "rip-snorting mad," demonstrate their resonance and relevance in contemporary English-speaking culture. These idioms provide a colorful and expressive way to describe intense anger, capturing the emotions and energy associated with being hopping mad.