angry/mad

Chances are, at some point in the past, you uttered an exclamation such as, "I'm so mad I could spit nails!" Well, I guess if you have nails in your mouth in the first place then, yes, you are mad. I'm fairly certain you meant you were angry.

The original meaning of "mad" was reserved for those who were mentally unstable. Mozart was mad, for example. To put it in simpler terms, technically, if you are "mad" your elevator doesn't go all the way to the top, you're a sandwich short of a picnic, you're not playing with a full deck, you're ready for a rubber room, or you're a french fry short of a Happy Meal. You get the idea.

The correct usage in this context is "angry." You're angry that you have extra homework. You're angry that your colleague makes more money than you do. You're angry that it's Monday. . .blah, blah, blah.

Are we straight on this one now? Fantastic.

Of course, it's possible that you're angry at first when you find out your spouse is cheating on you. Then, perhaps, you become mad. Then you end up in the newspaper, and we all get to see a less-than-flattering photo of you. Don't be one of those people.