# What are the origins of the phrase hat in hand? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 10, 2015, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-origins-of-the-phrase-hat-in-hand/734105 "2015-10-10T00:32:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2015, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-origins-of-the-phrase-hat-in-hand/734105/1 "2015-10-10T00:32:25Z")
I don’t hear this used much anymore. I heard it often within my older family. possible origins? Webster only says 1851 My WAG This seems visual to me. Maybe a sketch or political cartoon of some politician apologizing for some indiscretion? It seems like this image should tie back to some event or person. Any information out there? Google isn’t my friend tonight. my definition hat in hand - humbled, chastised, looking to apologize Webster in an attitude of respectful humility \ > **[Definition of HAT IN HAND](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hat%20in%20hand)** > > in an attitude of respectful humility… See the full definition ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2015, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-origins-of-the-phrase-hat-in-hand/734105/2 "2015-10-10T00:39:09Z")
In public men did not always take off their hats unless they were talking to a lady, or someone that could be considered a superior to them. Like a boss and such. So taking off your hat and carrying it in your hand while you walked up to someone to talk to them was a humbling act. It was putting any pride aside. I believe that is where the expression came from. ---
**Author:** ![magnusblitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@magnusblitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magnusblitz)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2015, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-origins-of-the-phrase-hat-in-hand/734105/3 "2015-10-10T00:40:32Z")
Right, it’s basically a sign of humility. Acting humble and putting pride aside when asking for something (usually money). ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2015, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-origins-of-the-phrase-hat-in-hand/734105/4 "2015-10-10T00:40:52Z")
It’s pretty obvious. It’s considered polite for men to remove their hats as a sign of respect (or it was). Therefore removing your hat is a sign of humility. If you go to someone to ask for pardon or a favor, you will take off your hat and necessarily be holding it in your hand as you stand in front of them. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2015, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-origins-of-the-phrase-hat-in-hand/734105/5 "2015-10-10T00:44:01Z")
hmm, I see your point. I didn’t consider the etiquette of that time. They did remove their hats to show respect. I guess the phrase just evolved from that then. thanks ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2015, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-origins-of-the-phrase-hat-in-hand/734105/6 "2015-10-10T04:02:03Z")
> [@magnusblitz](#): > > Right, it’s basically a sign of humility. Acting humble and putting pride aside when asking for something (usually money). As a secondary function, it also allows for the askee to conveniently deposit said money into the hat. ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2015, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-origins-of-the-phrase-hat-in-hand/734105/7 "2015-10-10T04:13:44Z")
One would assume that if you dug far enough back, it would be the removal of a helmet. ---
**Author:** ![ALOHA\_HATER](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/76d3ee/32.png) [@ALOHA\_HATER](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ALOHA_HATER)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2015, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-origins-of-the-phrase-hat-in-hand/734105/8 "2015-10-10T04:45:27Z")
For a modern equivalent, talking to someone while wearing sunglasses is like it used to be talking to someone while wearing a hat. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2015, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-origins-of-the-phrase-hat-in-hand/734105/9 "2015-10-10T07:49:08Z")
I have only ever heard it as “cap in hand” That, of course, makes the subservient meaning more obvious, because cap==‘is a member of the lower orders’ - otherwise he’d be wearing a hat.