Shoot that hat! phr. (streets).—A derisive retort. Also I’ll have your hat! Both circa 1860–72.
Well, you can take my hat! phr. (American) = ‘Well, that beats me,’ i.e., ‘that is past belief.’
1873. A Yankee in a Planter’s House. ‘What’s yer name?’ ‘Name Grief, manssa.’ ‘Name what?’ ‘Name Grief.’ ‘Get out! Yew’re jokin’! What’s yer name, anyhow?’ ‘Name Grief manssa.’ ‘Wal, yew kin take my hat.’
What a shocking bad hat, phr. (streets).—[Said to have originated with a candidate for parliamentary honours, who made the remark to his poorer constituents, and promised them new head-gear.]
1892. Anstey, Model Music Hall, 140. Lord B. Regular bounder! Shocking bad hat! Ver. Not so bad as his boots, and they are not so bad as his face.
Hatch, verb. (common).—To be brought to bed with child; to bust up (q.v.).
To be under hatches, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To be in a state of trouble, poverty or depression. Also dead.
1606. Marston, The Fawne, iv. Remember hee got his elder brother’s wife with child … that will stow him under hatches, I warrant you.
1632–1704. Locke [quoted in Ency. Dict.]. He assures us how this fatherhood continued its course, till the captivity in Egypt, and then the poor fatherhood was under hatches.
1639–1661. Rump Songs, i. [1662], 260. And all her orphans bestowed under hatches.