Okay, did a few searches and haven’t found this answered (but my apologies if I just didn’t search closely enough). My boss at work asked a hockey question that I just couldn’t answer: What do they do with all the hats thrown on the ice after a hat trick? Anyone have a clue? Thanks.
Probably toss them in the nearest landfill. Who would want all those used hats?
I think it depends on the team or player who scored the hat trick.
I’ve heard of players receiving the big-ass-bags of hats in instances of their “first career hat trick”.
I’ve also heard of teams who donate the hats to local shelters or clothing drives, etc.
I sincerely doubt there is a “one true answer” to this as the situation and/or team policy may dictate certain actions.
MeanJoe - Still in mourning that the Pens got bumped off by Philly…
From the British equivalent of this site, courtesy of The Guardian newspaper (link below):
WHY, when a footballer scores three goals in a game, is it called a ‘hat-trick’?
THE term originated in cricket and refers to the bowler’s taking of three wickets in succesive balls. George Macdonald Frazer ( Flashman’s Lady, set in 1843) claims the first use for Flashman. When he takes his third wicket (by cheating), the victim, Alfred Mynn, presents Flashman with his straw boater as he leaves the field with the words: ‘That trick’s worth a new hat any day, youngster.’ More seriously, Eric Partridge ( Historical Slang ), giving 1882 as the probable date of origin, says it entitled its professional performer to a collection, or to a new hat from his club. Amateur players, being gentlemen, could, presumably, afford their own hats.
Ramin Minova, Moseley, Birmingham.
DAVID HARRIS, the great Hambledon bowler of the 1780s, was presented with a gold-laced hat after a fine spell of bowling, though not actually taking three wickets with successive deliveries. Around 1800 the first top hat, a white beaver, came into vogue and was awarded by some clubs to bowlers who took three wickets with successive deliveries. This practice grew until the late 1800s when the tasselled cap, boater and pill-box cap made the top hat no longer de rigueur. The hat-trick was then coined by other sports to indicate a three-fold success.
Steve Pittard, Langport, Somerset.
WHEN football was in its infancy, and hence footballers were not professional, top scorers were not rewarded for their goals. If a player scored three goals in a match, a hat, or similar container, would be passed round for donations. I presume that only the home supporters would actually chip in.
Peter Orme, Winchester, Hants.
IN THE U.S., “hat tricks” are commonly said to have originated in ice hockey, where some supporter of a team promised a new hat to any player who scored three goals in a game. This may well be an urban legend; I am not a hockey buff. And tangentially: I have seen minor league baseball venues where a local haberdasher bought space on the outfield wall or fence and put up a sign advising “a free suit to any player hitting this sign with a batted ball”. But we never hear of “a suit trick”.
Notes & Queries
dpr
May 11, 2000, 12:00pm
5
Just a footnote that not many people know, but in cricket (where the term originated) a double hat-trick is NOT six wickets but four wickets with consecutive balls.
Off-topic true, but where else can I throw in trivia carelessly?