Old hat

Meaning

Outdated or unexciting.

Usage

Used to dismiss stale practices.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Refers to old-fashioned hats that fell out of style.

Early 1900s writers used it in contrast to new fashions.