Imaginary hat

In the programme ‘Cougartown’ Ellie doffs an Imaginary hat to people. Noone understands what she means. I am one of them. Please help.

She would doff a real hat to them (a traditional sign of respect), but she isn’t wearing a real hat, so she has to make do with an imaginary one.

And a tip of the Hatlo Hat to Chronos. :wink: