Mad as a March Hare

Hello my Frengers! Last week we went over the curious (and rather dark) origin of the charming Mad Hatter from Lewis Carroll’s books “Alice in Wonderland” & “Through the Looking-Glass.” This week is the turn for his furry tea buddy the March Hare! So, let’s find out where does his inspiration come from.

Mad as a March Hare

Once again in Jolly old England and the rest of the U.K.  there was an expression with it’s origin dating as far as the 1500s that said “as mad as a March hare” and similar to as “mas as a hatter” it was used to describe someone that was behaving in a silly, erratic or unusual way. Thankfully, the origin of this expression isn’t as dark as our friend the Hatter’s! Hares are animals similar to rabbits that live in the U.K. and throughout most of Europe (Lepus europaeus) and their reproduction season (mating season) is during the month of March, during this time hares show strange and erratic behavior like jumping up into the air for no reason, boxing with other hares or other strange actions. Because of this peculiar attitude the term “mad as a march hare” was invented and used to describe people or animals that display peculiar or strange behaviors. 

And there we have it Frengers! The explanation of two of literatures most emblematic characters and their origins!

Last week I presented you with a riddle: “Why is a raven like a writing desk?”

This is the riddle that the Mad Hatter presents to Alice, she doesn’t know the answer and when she asks the Hatter, he doesn’t either, but he thought it was an interesting question. Leaving poor Alice terribly angry and confused. Though the Hatter doesn’t know the answer, doesn’t mean people throughout history have not tried to answer this riddle, so, why don’t you try and give it a go! I look forward to reading your answers and I will tell you the real answer if enough of you participate!

Until next week Frengers, Excelsior!