to pass around the hat

1 definition found

to pass around the hat - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Hat \Hat\ (h[a^]t), n. [AS. h[ae]t, h[ae]tt; akin to Dan. hat,
     Sw. hatt, Icel. hattr a hat, h["o]ttr hood, D. hoed hat, G.
     hut, OHG. huot, and prob. to L. cassis helmet. [root]13. Cf.
     Hood.]
     A covering for the head; esp., one with a crown and brim,
     made of various materials, and worn by men or women for
     protecting the head from the sun or weather, or for ornament.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Hat block, a block on which hats are formed or dressed.
  
     To pass around the hat, to take up a collection of
        voluntary contributions, which are often received in a
        hat. [Colloq.] --Lowell.
        [1913 Webster]