Would you like to describe a busy situation, or say that you (or someone else) is going to be extremely busy with something for a while? The phrase 'busier than a one armed paper hanger' is a common saying that can be used to mean this. This post unpacks the meaning, origin, and common use of the saying.
Meaning
The phrase 'one armed paper hanger' is a less common figurative expression that is sometimes used in the English language.
'One armed paper hanger' is a sentence which implies that someone is going to be extremely busy, or as busy as a wallpaper hanger with only one arm.
The phrase implies that someone is extremely busy, but also has implications of chaos or confusion.
'One armed paper hanger' is a phrase that is more common in some forms of English than others, and it is seen more in America and the Unted Kingdom than it is found in Australia.
A similar phrase is to say that someone or something is 'all over the place'.
The sentence can also be used in the negative form to imply that someone is 'not a one armed paper hanger' or that they are not as busy as one.
There are several ways to spell the phrase, including to say 'one-armed' or 'one armed' – both are correct, but it will depend on the style of where the phrase is being printed.
The phrase is unrelated to the English expression 'one-armed (or one armed) bandit'.
Example Usage
“With only one employee left at the office this time of the year, I'm going to get busier than a one-armed paper hanger.”
“If you don't hire three more people to do your job, you're going to have to do everything and it's going to keep you busier than a one armed paper hanger.
“Heck, you're going to have more things to do at work next week than a one-armed paper hanger if you go on taking new contracts at this pace.”
“The man is busier than a one armed paper hanger. He's written five books this year, and rumor has it that he's about to start work on number six.”
Origin
According to most online language resources, the origin of the expression 'one armed paper hanger' comes from a short story by O. Henry that was published in the early 1900s.
In the story by William Sydney Porter (also called O. Henry), a one armed paper hanger is introduced as part of the plot – and the man is implied to be extremely busy due to the combination of his career and the discomfort he experiences due to apparent hives.
The phrase would soon take off, with the popularity of O. Henry's writing and retelling thereof.
The website Urban Dictionary lists the phrase from the year 2005, even though use of the phrase at the beginning of the 20th century is apparent.
Phrases Similar to One Armed Paper Hanger
- Busier than a cucumber in a convent
Phrases Opposite to One Armed Paper Hanger
- N/a
What is the Correct Saying?
- [busier than a] one armed paper hanger
Ways People May Say One Armed Paper Hanger Incorrectly
There are several ways in which someone can use the phrase 'one armed paper hanger' in the wrong way, or misunderstand the meaning of the phrase.
The phrase 'one armed paper hanger' is used to mean that someone is busy, and has no relation in origin or meaning to the English saying 'one armed bandit' – but the two can be easily confused by a speaker with no knowledge of the expression.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase One Armed Paper Hanger
The correct way to use the phrase 'one armed paper hanger' is to say that someone is 'busier than a one armed paper hanger'.
The phrase implies that someone is busy, but also often implies chaos or confusion at the same time.
The phrase can be spelled as either 'one armed' or 'one-armed' depending on the style of the publication it is being printed in.