QI: The Hat Trick

A debate broke out at church this morning during our discussion of the annual Pantygwydr Oldies vs Youngsters football match, as Naomi, not a football fan, asked why on earth scoring 3 goals was called a hat trick? A fair question we thought, and after some pretty lame attempts at figuring it out, we gave up!

But whilst watching the Villa vs Gillingham FA Cup game this afternoon, my interest was rekindled as James Milner hit a brace and then was on for his hat trick. Some swift internet research followed, and an answer emerged!

I was amazed to find the phrase originated in 1858, and was in wide enough us to be used in print just 20 years later in 1878. Mostly I associate the term 'Hat Trick' with football, but it began life as a cricketing term. It was coined when one HH Stephenson, a fine venerable Victorian gentleman I'm sure, got 3 wickets with 3 consecutive deliveries for an all England XI against the XXII of Hallam in Sheffield.

None of this explains the term itself, 'Hat Trick', which had caused such confusion. After a little more digging, I discovered in the 1800s when a sportsman achieved an special feat a collection was taken for him amongst the players and crowd (the days before professional sport remember). Naturally HH Stephenson's 3 wickets in 3 balls warranted a collection, the proceeds of which went towards buying the bowling ace a fine hat- hence 'Hat Trick'!

All of which is quite interesting and provided me with some good trivia to share with you all!