Extract revised for OED Online

brush, n.²

DRAFT REVISION July 2007

ADDITIONS SERIES 1993

Add: [I.] [1.] c. In colloq. phr. as daft (mad, etc.) as a brush, quite daft or mad; crazy.

1932 H. WILLIAMSON Labouring Life i. 20 Mazed as a brish (brush)—Said of the young literary gent. nicknamed The Beard.

1974 P. WRIGHT Lang. Brit. Industry xiv. 129 'As daft as a brush' (which flops, unable to stand upright). 1980 J. O'FAOLAIN No Country for Young Men vi. 136 She's as mad as a brush. Thinks she's privy to secrets of national importance.