Mad as a Hornet
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "mad as a hornet" means extremely angry, stirred up, or ready to fight. It’s a vivid comparison to how mean hornets get when disturbed.
#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #Animals #PeopleandRelationships #Southern #FarmTalk #ScoldingandTeasing
Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Mad as a hornet' is something I heard often around here. And I've been chased by one - they get really mad. Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Mad as a hornet' is something I heard often around here. And I've been chased by one - they get really mad. Pronunciation
[MAD az uh HOR-nit]
Meaning & Usage
- Extremely angry or stirred up (verb phrase, figurative)
Mae:
What happened when the fence broke?
What happened when the fence broke?
Earl:
Neighbor was mad as a hornet about them cows gettin’ loose.
Neighbor was mad as a hornet about them cows gettin’ loose.variations: mad as a wet hen, mad as all get out, spittin’ mad, burnin’ up, she was mad as a hornet when she heard, he’s mad as a hornet about that mess, they got mad as hornets over the loss
★ Hornets are notorious for stingin’ quick and mean if you rile ’em. Comparing anger to hornets gives this saying extra bite in country talk. ★
Origin and Etymology
Drawn from the fierce reputation of hornets in the American South and Appalachia. The phrase has been in use since at least the 1800s, often alongside other animal comparisons like "mad as a wet hen."
Usage Notes
Still common in Southern and Appalachian speech. Outsiders understand it, but it’s strongest in regions where hornets are part of everyday farm life. Closely related to sayings like fit to be tied.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "mad as a hor-net." Often slurred: "mad as a hornet."
Kin Topics
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How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 6). Mad as a Hornet. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/mad-as-a-hornet
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Mad as a Hornet." HillbillySlang.com, 6 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/mad-as-a-hornet.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Mad as a Hornet." HillbillySlang.com. September 6, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/mad-as-a-hornet.
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