mad as a hatter UK /ˌmæd æz ə ˈhætə/US /ˌmæd æz ə ˈhætɚ/ adjective1 •Crazy or demented."I think he’d be as mad as a hatter at your insinuation that he would invite any of his wives, if all I hear of him is true; and what I’ve heard, Wolsey has told me." — 1895