hat trick

English

Etymology

c.1877, originally from cricket, meaning taking three wickets with three consecutive bowls. This extended to other sports. Allegedly because it entitled the bowler to receive a hat from his club, or perhaps it entitled him to pass the hat for a cash collection.

Noun

hat trick (plural hat tricks)

  1. (cricket) Three wickets taken by a bowler in three consecutive balls.
  2. (ice hockey) Three goals scored by one player in a game, usually followed by a shower of hats onto the ice.
    After Jones' hat trick, the attendents had to pick up about 75 hats from the ice.
  3. (sports, by extension) Three achievements in a single game, or similar, such as three consecutive wins.
    A "Gordie Howe hat trick" comprises a goal, an assist, and a fighting major penalty.
    The car salesman came home with front-row seats after turning a hat trick at work.
  4. (baseball, sarcastic) Striking out three times in one game.
    Jones got a hat trick yesterday. Let's see if he can do something today.

Derived terms

Translations

↑Jump back a section

Read in another language

This page is available in 7 languages

Last modified on 9 February 2013, at 07:24