barking mad

[ bahr-king mad ]

adjective

, British and Australian Informal.

1. thoroughly insane; crazy:

   Whoever dreamed up this nonsensical storyline was barking mad.

   Not put off by this frankly barking mad conversation, I agreed to hear more about his idea over lunch.

Word History and Origins

Origin of barking mad¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

During the episode, Malone seemed to suggest that public health authorities and pro-vaccine messaging were driving Americans "barking mad" — while referring multiple times to the FDA-approved shots as "experimental" vaccines.

From Salon

“What the heck happened to Germany in the 20s and 30s? Very intelligent, highly educated population, and they went barking mad. And how did that happen?” he told Mr. Rogan.

From Washington Times

That track record is one reason why making iron fertilization a research priority is “barking mad,” says Wil Burns, an ocean law expert at Northwestern University.

From Science Magazine

How could such a high official in the United States sound so barking mad?

From Washington Post

Earlier that month, conservative media personality Piers Morgan had called the former mayor "completely barking mad" in a discussion about race relations.

From Salon