Hat

subs. (Cambridge University).—1.  A gentleman commoner. [Who is permitted to wear a hat instead of the regulation mortar-board.] Also GOLD HATBAND.

  1628.  EARLE, Microcosmographie. ‘Young Gentleman of the Universitie’ (ed., ARBER, 1868). His companion is ordinarily some stale fellow that has beene notorious for an ingle to GOLD HATBANDS, whom hee admires at first, afterwards scornes.

  1803.  Gradus ad Cantabrigiam. Hat Commoner; the son of a Nobleman, who wears the gown of a Fellow Commoner with a HAT.

  1830.  BULWER-LYTTON, Paul Clifford, ch. xxxii. I knew intimately all the HATS in the University.

  1841.  BULWER-LYTTON, Night and Morning, bk. I., ch. i. He had certainly nourished the belief that some one of the HATS or tinsel gowns—i.e., young lords or fellow-commoners, with whom he was on such excellent terms … would do something for him in the way of a living.

  2.  (venery).—The female pudendum. Generally OLD HAT. For synonyms, see MONOSYLLABLE.

  1754.  FIELDING, Jonathan Wild, i., 6 (note). I shall conclude this learned note with remarking that the term OLD HAT is used by the vulgar in no very honourable sense.

  1760.  STERNE, Tristram Shandy, ch. cxxvi. A chapter of chambermaids, green gowns, and OLD HATS.

  1785.  GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. [‘Because often felt.’] See also TOP DIVER.

  1811.  GROSE and CLARKE, Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.

  3.  (Scots’).—A prostitute of long standing. For synonyms, see BARRACK-HACK and TART.

  TO EAT ONE’S HAT (or HEAD), verb. phr. (common).—Generally, I’LL EAT MY HAT. Used in strong emphasis. See EAT.

  1836.  DICKENS, Pickwick Papers, xlii., 367. ‘If I knew as little of life as that, I’d EAT MY HAT and swallow the buckle whole,’ said the clerical gentleman.

  1837.  DICKENS, Oliver Twist, ch. xiv. Even admitting the possibility of scientific improvements being ever brought to that pass which will enable a man to EAT HIS own HEAD, Mr. Grimwig’s head was such a particularly large one that the most sanguine man alive could hardly entertain a hope of being able to get through it at a sitting.

  1844.  BUCKSTONE, The Maid with the Milking Pail. If you are not as astonished as I was, I’ll EAT OLD ROWLEY’S HAT.

  1876.  C. HINDLEY, ed. The Life and Adventures of a Cheap Jack, p. 216. I’ll EAT MY HAT.

  1887.  E. E. MONEY, A Little Dutch Maiden, II., viii., 148. And if you don’t run up against him next day in Bond Street, you may EAT YOUR HAT!

  1892.  MILLIKEN, ’Arry Ballads, p. 38. If some of the swells didn’t ditto, I’ll EAT MY OLD HAT, which it’s tough.

  TO GET A HAT, verb. phr. (cricketers’).—See HAT-TRICK.

  TO GET INTO THE HAT, verb. phr. (common).—To get into trouble.

  TO HAVE A BRICK IN ONE’S HAT, verb. phr. (American).—To be top-heavy with drink. For synonyms, see DRINKS and SCREWED.

  TO HANG UP ONE’S HAT.—See HANG.

  TO PASS (or SEND) ROUND THE HAT, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To make a collection.

  TO TALK THROUGH ONE’S HAT, verb. phr. (American).—To rag; to huff; to bluster.

  1888.  New York World, 13 May. Dis is only a bluff dey’re makin’—see! Dey’re TALKIN’ TRU DEIR HATS.

  ALL ROUND MY HAT, phr. (streets’).—A derisive retort. [From a Broadside Ballad, popular c. 1830:

sung to a tune adapted from a number in Zampa.] Also, as in quot. = all over; completely; generally.

  1892.  MILLIKEN, ’Arry Ballads, p. 54. I’m a ’ot un, mate, ALL ROUND MY ’AT.

  SHOOT THAT HAT! phr. (streets’).—A derisive retort. Also I’LL HAVE YOUR HAT! Both circa 1860–72.

  WELL, YOU CAN TAKE MY HAT! phr. (American) = ‘Well, that beats me,’ i.e., ‘that is past belief.’

  1873.  A Yankee in a Planter’s House. ‘What’s yer name?’ ‘Name Grief, manssa.’ ‘Name what?’ ‘Name Grief.’ ‘Get out! Yew’re jokin’! What’s yer name, anyhow?’ ‘Name Grief manssa.’ ‘WAL, YEW KIN TAKE MY HAT.

  WHAT A SHOCKING BAD HAT, phr. (streets’).—[Said to have originated with a candidate for parliamentary honours, who made the remark to his poorer constituents, and promised them new head-gear.]

  1892.  T. A. GUTHRIE (‘F. Anstey’), Mr. Punch’s Model Music-Hall Songs & Dramas, 140. Lord B. Regular bounder. SHOCKING BAD HAT! Verb. Not so bad as his boots, and they are not so bad as his face!