General
madder than a wet hen
What does madder than a wet hen mean?
Furious. Hens doused with water to break their broodiness get notably irate.
"She was madder than a wet hen when they cancelled the fair."
Origin
Southern simile drawn from the farm practice of dunking broody hens in water, which enrages them.
Frequently asked questions
What does "madder than a wet hen" mean?
It means extremely angry—furious.
How do you use "madder than a wet hen"?
Use it as a colorful comparison, as in "She was madder than a wet hen when they cancelled the fair."
Where does "madder than a wet hen" come from?
It's a Southern simile from the farm practice of dunking broody hens in water, which enrages them.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
