英语词汇drop of a hat的起源、历史背景-英语词源词典

drop of a hat. No one has offered a convincing explanation for this very common American expression, and both Web- ster’s and the O.E.D. ignore it entirely. It has been suggested that it is Irish in origin and that since the words are most of- ten heard in the form of “he’s ready to fight at the drop of a hat” the phrase parallels challenges like “roll up your sleeves,” “take off your coat,” and other expressions used at the start of a fistfight. Another possible explanation lies in the duels with guns, knives, whips, or fists so common in the 19th century. The referee who judged these duels usually dropped a hand- kerchief or hat as a signal for the fight to begin. The expres- sion seems to have originated in the West and was first re- corded in 1887.

词汇	drop of a hat
词源	drop of a hat. No one has offered a convincing explanation for this very common American expression, and both Web- ster’s and the O.E.D. ignore it entirely. It has been suggested that it is Irish in origin and that since the words are most of- ten heard in the form of “he’s ready to fight at the drop of a hat” the phrase parallels challenges like “roll up your sleeves,” “take off your coat,” and other expressions used at the start of a fistfight. Another possible explanation lies in the duels with guns, knives, whips, or fists so common in the 19th century. The referee who judged these duels usually dropped a hand- kerchief or hat as a signal for the fight to begin. The expres- sion seems to have originated in the West and was first re- corded in 1887.
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