subs. (common).—The silk hat worn by men, as also by women on horseback. Also called a STOVE-PIPE, BEAVER, BELL-TOPPER, etc., but for synonyms, see GOLGOTHA. [An allusion to shape and colour.] The French has une cheminée.
1861. Punch, vol. XLI., p. 258. ‘The Riding-Hat Question.’ Lucy. ‘Now tell me, Mary, which is the best?’ Mary (who is rather horsey). ‘Well, dear, for tea in the arbour and that sort of thing, perhaps the little round one; but if you want to look like going across country, the CHIMNEY-POT all to nothing.’
1864. Spectator, p. 356. The CHIMNEY-POT hat, for the power of its transcendant ugliness beat all the artists, penmen, and men of taste in England, ten years ago.
1871. Echo, 2 March. ‘London Trades—Hatters.’ The shape of the CHIMNEY-POT is constantly changing, as we all know.
1880. Punch’s Almanack, p. 10. Now, why should not gentlemen content themselves with mere underclothing, and discard the hideous CHIMNEY-POT, Frock Coat, and Trousers of the Period, so fatal to Pictorial Design?
1890. Daily Graphic, Jan. 7, p. 9, col. 4. Then the crowd go mad. Up fly head-gear, CHIMNEY-POT, and wide-a-wake alike, their owners careless of their fate.
