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mad hatter disease. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
mad hatter disease, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
mad hatter disease in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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English
Etymology
"During the 18th to 20th centuries, hat makers used mercury to stiffen felt for hats. They used a type of mercury called mercuric nitrate and worked in poorly ventilated rooms. Over time, the hatters inhaled mercury vapors. Many developed symptoms of chronic mercury poisoning, including psychosis, excitability, and tremors. These symptoms became so common in hatters that the phrase “mad as a hatter” was born."[1]
Noun
mad hatter disease (uncountable)
- erethism (neurological disorder from mercury poisoning)
References
- ^ Nunez, Kristen (2021 May 19) “What Is Mad Hatter Disease (Erethium)?”, in Healthline