Wherever I lay my hat...

Q. ...that's my home

A. When, back in 1983, former Q-Tip front man Paul Young offered us his 'interpretation' of the Marvin Gaye classic, the British public, in a flurry of collective dubious taste, bought it by the skip load. But what did it mean Surely Paul wasn't trying to tell us that his was such a peripatetic heart But yes, his was such a free spirit that he was at home anywhere - or with anyone - he could use as a hat-stand.

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Q. Hat-stand

A. Also a euphemism for bonkers, often to be found in the pages of Viz magazine.

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Q. Hats on or hats off

A. Removing one's head-gear has long been a sign of deference in Europe. Thus, hats should be removed in the presence of one's social superiors - 'doffing your cap' - especially monarchs. Also, men are supposed to remove their hats in church - though, in a curious turnaround, women are traditionally required to cover their heads. The highly codified etiquette surrounding hat-wearing has largely disappeared over the last half century, however.

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Q. So, 'Hats Off To Larry'

A. In Del Shannon's 1961 follow-up to 'Runaway' he sings: 'Hats off to Larry / He broke your heart / Just like you broke mine when you / Said we must part'. Who Larry was we'll never know, but it's a classic example of the practice of raising one's hat in admiration or appreciation of a skilful or apposite act.

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Q. So how else do we wear our hats metaphorically

A.

To go hat in hand - same as cap in hand; to go to ask a favour or go begging, both from the idea that you hold your hat or cap out to receive the money as well as showing deference to the person you are asking the favour from

As black as your hat - hats were commonly black, so . . .

At the drop of a hat - to do something on a signal or instantly; from the American practice of starting a fight by dropping a hat

A bad hat - a dodgy person

A brass hat - military bigwigs; dating from the first Boer War (1880-1) and from the braid or 'scrambled eggs' on the officers' hats

To eat one's hat - 'if xyz happens, I'll eat my hat'; an expression of confidence that a certain thing is unlikely to happen

To hang up one's hat - to make yourself at home (see above); also to retire

To keep it under your hat - to keep something secret

To knock into a cocked hat - to win easily; from the game of ninepins, where, when only three pins were left, they were said to have been 'knocked into a cocked hat' - cocked hats being those hats with turned-up brims so popular at the turn of the 19th century - that is knocked out of shape

My hat! - no one says that any more; more likely these days to be 'My a**e!', to quote Jim Royle

Old hat - something that is no longer in fashion

To pass the hat around - to collect contributions

To talk through your hat - to exaggerate, bluff or talk rubbish; this may come from the idea that pious types will cover their faces with their hats to create the impression of devout reverence

To throw your hat into the ring - to accept a challenge or enter a contest; from the practice of throwing your hat into the ring in order to challenge a pugilist

To tip your hat - to acknowledge or greet; related to the idea of removing your hat in the presence of your 'betters'

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Q. And hat trick

A. See the answer to this at DisplayAnswers.go question_id=4501&category_id=12&index=15

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By Simon Smith