Monday, May 30, 2011

Use the Word "Mad" and "Angry"

It is a common misconception that 'mad' and 'angry' mean the same thing. The definitions are different! So don't make people angry by being mad!

1. Understand the definitions:
1. Mad:
* Very foolish (Ex. "That was rather mad of you, challenging Dracula to a blood-drinking contest.")
* Marked by uncontrolled excitement or emotion (Ex. "When he saw the wine glasses filled with red liquid, the vampire was swept away in a mad whirl of giddiness.")
* Affected with madness or insanity (Ex. "Upon arriving at the scene, the doctor, taking one look at the waxen, heavily draped creature which lay twitching nervously in the corner, pronounced his patient as being 'quite mad.'").
2. Anger (often used as 'angry):
* A strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance.
* Belligerence aroused by a real or supposed wrong.

Remember the phrase 'stark raving mad', and you should be fine.

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