Meaning to score three goals. Amid all the talk about Harry Kane's recent scoring rate, my wife asked me why scoring three goals was a hat trick, and I had to admit, I had no idea!
The term first appeared in 1858 in cricket, to describe H. H. Stephenson's taking three wickets with three consecutive deliveries. Fans held a collection for Stephenson, and presented him with a hat bought with the proceeds. The term was used in print for the first time in 1865. The term was eventually adopted by many other sports including hockey, association football, water polo and team handball.
to add to the above, cricket in that era was played between gentlemen and players. The "gentlemen" were the aristocrats of the day and the "players" were hired for their abilities. The two teams would comprise of both gentleman and players but they would have separate dressing rooms. If one of the players took 3 wickets then he would be allowed to pass the hat around for what would be a bonus to his match fee. Thus the term "hattrick".
In cricket, four consecutive wickets with four consecutive balls are called a "Beaver trick". That feat earns a hat made of beaver fur, a very superior hat indeed.
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