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: 'All round my hat I wears a green willow, All round my hat for a twelvemonth and a day, And if any one should ask you the reason why I wear it, Tell them my true love is gone far away'; 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.'
873. 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. Anstey, Model Music Hall, 140. Lord B. Regular bounder! Shocking bad hat! Ver. Not so bad as his boots, and they are not so bad as his face.
Hatch, verb. (common).—To be
brought to bed with child; to
bust up (q.v.).
To be under hatches, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To be in a state of trouble, poverty or depression. Also dead.
1606. Marston, The Fawne, iv. Remember hee got his elder brother's wife with child . . . that will stow him under hatches, I warrant you.
1632-1704. Locke [quoted in Ency. Dict.]. He assures us how this fatherhood continued its course, till the captivity in Egypt, and then the poor fatherhood was under hatches.
1639-1661. Rump Songs, i. [1662], 260. And all her orphans bestowed under hatches.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Under the Hatches, in Trouble, or Prison.
1725. New Cant. Dict., s.v. Under the Hatches, in Trouble, or Prison.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Under the hatches, in trouble, distress, or debt.
1789. Dibdin, Tom Bowling, For though his body's under hatches his soul has gone aloft.
1835. Buckstone, Dream at Sea. ., 3. Good-bye, dame, cheer up; you may not always be under hatches.
1859. Matsell, Vocabulum, s.v.
Hatchet, subs. (tailors').—1. An
ill-favoured woman. For general
synonyms, see Ugly Mug.
