A hatter is a maker or seller of hats. Milliners are a category of hatters who design women's hats.

The origin of the proverbial expression "mad as a hatter" is uncertain. It may derive from:Why Do We Say ...?, Nigel Rees, 1987, ISBN 0-7137-1944-1

• Robert Crab, a 17th century eccentric who gave all his goods to the poor and lived on leaves and grass.

• Mercury poisoning suffered by many hatters in the 18th century and 19th century, when mercury was used in the manufacture of felt. Absorption of mercury through the skin can cause Korsakoff's syndrome. These hatters so afflicted were also known as mad hatters

• An adaption of the Anglo-Saxon word atter meaning poison, closely related to the word adder for the poisonous Crossed Viper. Lexicographers William and Mary Morris in Morris Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins (1977) favour this derivation because "mad as a hatter" was known before hat making was a recognized trade.

Lewis Carroll used the phrase for the character of The Hatter in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. This character is also known as The Mad Hatter.

In Batman's rogues gallery, one of the more-or-less famous enemies is Jervis Tetch, a delusional man obsessed with hats. Due to both his insanity, or madness, and obsession with hats, he is deemed 'The Mad Hatter.'

Other Uses

• Students and athletes who attend Hatboro-Horsham School District are called Hatters. This refers to Hatboro's history of hat production.

mister hatter is a maths teacher at joseph rowntree secondary school, york

References