There are a few entrances to the place where I work. All the entrances originate from the same highway-just at different points.
The other day I was leaving work-waiting to catch a gap in the traffic before I pulled out and headed for Brasstown. I noticed a fellow employee just as she went out of my peripheral vision-too late for me to wave bye to her.
After I got home, she sent me the text above. Since I’m a lover of old language I got a kick out of her using a phrase that dates back to the 1890s along with our modern smart phones to tease me.
I read somewhere-the phrase high hatting someone came about in the 1890s when there was an economic boom and men who were quite poor became quite rich. Once they began wearing the clothing style of their new social ranking, including tall hats, they no longer wanted to admit they knew the every day folks they used to hang with. So they were accused (and rightly so) of high hatting their old chums.
Tipper
Appalachia Through My Eyes – A series of photographs from my life in Southern Appalachia.
Yep, I grew up hearing “high hatted.” I haven’t had much need to use it, but I will fit it in if I can, thanks for the info.
High hatting – that’s a good one, and new to me.
Well of information. I have heard the saying but like most old sayings, each generation repeats them until the meaning is lost. I have heard a lot of mountain sayings come from England. I guess they came over on the Mayflower. : )
Tipper,
I’ve known people all my life who
acted like they were better’n
everybody else. How wrong they are!
I never knew the origin of high-
hatting and I certainly didn’t think it had been that long. But
your friend let you know (in a nice kind of way) that she was paying attention.
It says in the Bible that Jesus
even mingled with the sinners
and them ole Republicans (publicans). Hope to see you all
Sunday…Ken
“got too good for his raising”
Tipper
Although I used to love riding horses and still would, if someone would hoist me up on the saddle! I don’t think I ever intentionally “high hatted” anyone, or “rode on my high horse” over anyone… or have I forgotten?
There is not a worse feeling in your heart then knowing someone intentionally “snubbed” you or high hatted you! If you are good close friends, then you know in your heart it was just an oversight and not intentional.
I admit I have peddled my cart down the other isle in the Wally World or K-Roger to avoid a long winded conversation with a very “nosy someone” who just has to know all your business down to your income, taxes and if your great aunt remarried after the divorce of her third husband!…OK, maybe that is going a bit “farfetched”, but you “get my jest”! I don’t know in that instance if it is called
“snubbing”, “high hatting” or just “baling out” to avoid confrontation!
Thanks Tipper,
enjoyed this post!
Very common in my neck of the woods- but you don’t want to be caught doing it!
Interesting! Thanks for posting. I will join Jim Casada in the tipping of hats to you.
Being uppity is the way I have heard it used but didn’t know the exact origin. Very interesting!
I have heard high horse but never heard high hat used to describe a snobby person. Someone accused you of high hatting them? I doubt that!
Sometimes we just gotta do what we gotta do to get a place in the line of cars heading in the same direction. I have to admit, I didn’t know the meaning until you explained it. Thanks for additional explanation.
Tipper: Now that I check our schedule more closely, WE JUST MIGHT make that 4:00 performance of the girls on Saturday – I hope.
Eva Nell
Tipper: Even though we will be in Clay County for the multi-class reunion, we will be ‘on the road again’ before the girls perform. I wish we could make it!
Eva Nell
It gettin snooty the same as high hatting?
I LIKE THE PHRASE “HIGH HATTING” I’ll use it in my next Appalachian novel.
Tipper, I love the juxtapositioning of the old phrase with the modern texting!
I am familiar with phrase high hatting I’ve heard that all my life. I even knew where it came from but don’t recall how I came to know it.
I have heard high hated used quite often, even now.
I guess we all of us have been guilty of “high hatting” others–intentional or not! Thanks for giving us the history of the phrase. I didn’t know it’s origin. We learn much from Blind Pig! Thank you! Wish I could be at John C. Campbell this weekend! I know all of you will be well-received! And no “high-hatting” from anyone who hears/sees you!
Tipper–I’ve heard “high hatting” used in a slightly different fashion, although the message was the same. Someone who was all dressed up, acting a bit uppity, or getting above their raisin’ was said to be “high hatting it.” In other words, putting on airs.
Jim Casada
http://www.jimcasadaoutdoors.com
P. S. Speaking of hats, I tip mine, although it is just a lowly straw farmer’s hat, to your readers. Thanks to them I’m hot on the trail of solution to my candy roaster seed problem.
Interesting. I’ve heard that all my life, but had no idea how it started.