The expression “flying off the handle” is commonly used to describe someone suddenly losing their temper or acting irrationally. Its origins trace back to 19th-century America and are deeply rooted in the world of woodworking, particularly in the use of axes.

The Woodworking Connection

In the early days, axes were essential tools for cutting wood and building structures. However, poorly crafted or worn-down axe heads could sometimes become loose and detach unexpectedly from the handle when swung. This dangerous and unpredictable event—an axe head literally “flying off the handle”—could result in serious injury or destruction.

As a metaphor, the phrase started to be used to describe people who lose control of their emotions in an unpredictable and dangerous way, just like an axe head suddenly detaching from its handle.

First Recorded Use

The phrase first appeared in print in the mid-1800s, particularly in American literature. One of the earliest recorded uses comes from Thomas C. Haliburton’s book The Attaché (1843), where he wrote:

“He flies right off the handle for nothing.”

This suggests that the phrase was already in common spoken use by that time, capturing the image of someone losing their temper as suddenly and dangerously as a loose axe head.

Why It Stuck

The vivid imagery of an axe flying unpredictably made the phrase a powerful and relatable metaphor. Over time, it became a staple of the English language, used to describe anyone who reacts with sudden anger, whether in a heated argument or an emotional outburst.

Even today, despite advances in tool-making, the expression remains popular, reminding us of the dangers of unchecked emotions—just as a loose axe head reminds us of the importance of staying in control.