General
busier than a one-armed paper hanger
What does busier than a one-armed paper hanger mean?
Overwhelmed with work, like a one-armed man trying to hang wallpaper.
"During tax season I'm busier than a one-armed paper hanger."
Origin
American comedic simile from the early 1900s exaggerating frantic busyness.
Frequently asked questions
What does "busier than a one-armed paper hanger" mean?
It's a comic way of saying extremely, frantically busy—hanging wallpaper with one arm would be an overwhelming juggle.
When would you use it?
To dramatize how swamped you are, e.g. during a rush at work: "I've been busier than a one-armed paper hanger all week."
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