why did the expression mad dogs and Englishmen in Sun start?

Question

I was born in the States - so this is new -- also
pairs and stairs. on and etc.

Answer 1

Its part of a song by Noel Coward - only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noon day sun

Answer 2

The full expression is "mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun."

This is from the days of the British Empire, especially the Raj in India. The native inhabitants, used to the heat, would sensibly go indoors in the heat of the mid-day sun. But the British didn't like to change their routines for such trifling things as 100 degree heat, so continued to parade around in the hottest part of the day, often dressed up in full suits. Hence the expression, comparing the idiocy of the British with rabid dogs, memorably made into a song by Noel Coward.

Answer 3

Mad Dogs And Englishmen Kipling

Answer 4

It started in India where the heat is so bad that people stay out of the sun at midday. When the English conquered that nation and went about their business all day the natives thought them quite mad. So, "Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noon time sun.."

Answer 5

As far as I can tell it was coined by Noël Coward in his song of the same name “Mad Dogs and Englishmen”.

It of course, refers to the notion that the English during the age of Empire were determined to show their ‘stiff upper lip’, their ‘resolve’, their ‘true British grit’ by maintaining standards of British decency, etiquette and customs. So instead of sensibly adopting and adapting to local behaviour and garb these scions empire kept to tradition and went about as if in the home counties where the sun never gets too hot; either at midday or at any other time of day.

Walking around in flannels or linen suits with high buttoned starched-stiff collars, ties, socks and shoes was guaranteed to make any foreigner look absurd to the locals.

NOTE:
There is also a YouTube video of Noel Coward performing his song but as I live in Bangkok and YouTube has been blocked by the democratic military backed government I can not provide you with this link. Go to YouTube and look it up, the thing is quite entertaining.

Answer 6

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
why did the expression mad dogs and Englishmen in Sun start?
I was born in the States - so this is new -- also
pairs and stairs. on and etc.

Answer 7

because it's true.........we English are so generally starved of sunshine that when we go abroad we sit out in the sun ay midday, something that the natives would never do so they compare us to mad dogs as they have no sense to stay in the shade either.
Apples and pears...stair is Cockney rhyming slang.

Answer 8

It is a saying from the Days of Empire referring to the lunacy of the Brits insisting on doing things in the noon day heat. It was made famous by Rudyard Kipling in several of his poems and books.

Answer 9

To do with colonial Brits travelling the world, having high tea at normal time even though at that time it was baking hot. Never mind we'll take a servant to hold an umbrella, that sort of thing.

The song is based on this.

Answer 10

It's old English sayings.