Wednesday, March 12, 2014

10 Gallon Hats On Western Wednesday...!

As far back as I can remember, I've heard the term "10 gallon hat" and just never gave a thought as to where the term came from.

Funny how the history of a name can pop up when you least expect it. Sure does come in handy for a blog post as well!

Why do we call it a 10-gallon hat?



The popular image of a cowboy would not be complete without the wide-brimmed “10-gallon hat,” yet even the most hardened cattlemen can’t agree on how the iconic headgear first got its name. The conventional explanation is that “10-gallon” refers to how much liquid could be carried inside the hat. In fact, a famous ad for the Stetson company once even depicted a cowpoke giving his weary horse a drink from the crown of his hat. While it’s certainly in keeping with the romantic conception of life in the Old West, this image is probably as much of a myth as gunfights at high noon. Not only is the name “10-gallon hat” an obvious exaggeration—even the most comically large cowboy hats could only hold a few quarts of water—carrying liquid in the crown of any hat would most likely damage it beyond repair.

Most experts argue that the name “10-gallon hat” is actually an import from south of the border. Cattle drivers and ranchers in Texas and the Southwest often crossed paths with Mexican vaqueros who sported braided hatbands—called “galóns” in Spanish—on their sombreros. A “10 galón” sombrero was a hat with a large enough crown that it could hold 10 hatbands, but American cowboys may have anglicized the word to “gallon” and started referring to their own sombrero-inspired headgear as “10-gallon hats.” Yet another linguistic theory argues that the name is a corruption of the Spanish phrase “tan galán” —roughly translated as “very gallant” or “really handsome”—which may have been used to describe the majestic image of a hat-wearing cowboy in the saddle.

Whatever its origin, the 10-gallon hat wasn’t even the preferred headgear for most people in the Wild West—top hats and bowlers were more common. The nickname didn’t enter the popular lexicon until the 1920s, when silent film stars like Tom Mix and Tim McCoy helped popularize the oversized hat in Hollywood Westerns. The 10-gallon hat went on to earn a place as a quintessential piece of the frontier wardrobe, and presidents like Harry Truman and Lyndon B. Johnson would later use them to cultivate a rustic image while serving as commander in chief.

Just for the record, even though I live in Texas, I don't wear a western hat. Heck. I don't even own one! That's a shame really, 'cause I think I'd look good in one!

Coffee out on the patio this morning. It's supposed to be cool, but that's OK!

10 comments:

Mamahen said...

You always have something interesting, and you just never know what it will be, except for Sunday toons of course... Now where Gene, Roy, Tex Ritter, and all the others be without their trusty ten gallon head gear! Sounds like you need to run out and get yourself one :))

Chickenmom said...

Why Mr. Hermit! I thought EVERYONE in Texas wore a cowboy hat! Let me borrow your stove - french toast for all!

Gorges Smythe said...

The only Stetson I ever owned was a narrow-brimmed one at around age 19. It never looked the same after one of our local bureaucrats sat on it in my truck.

Sunnybrook Farm said...

Very interesting, I have an ancient black one that I wear when it rains as that is when they are at their best.

texasann said...

Bubba - I am surprised at you - no cowboy hat?!? Guess you substitute with all those gimme caps that Texans are also know for, huh? We don't wear our hats much, but yep, we both got 'em. Husband even has a cowboy hard hat! Best thing ever for wearing outside in the rain, especially just after a hurricane or big storm, when who knows what is gonna fall on your head ~
Bug hugs -

linda m said...

When I was a little girl (many moons ago) I wore an Anne Oakley cowgirl hat. I feel most men really don't look that good in a large hat like that unless they are up on a horse riding around on a ranch. But walking down the street it looks dumb to me. But that is just my opinion. I do appreciate a man in a fedora or bowler tho. I'll bring some maple syrup to go with the french toast.

Rob said...

All my life I've called those 'cowboy' hats.

JO said...

You don't have one?? I even have a cowboy hat. LOL I never wear it but I have it. Used to wear it during Rodeo week but since I don't go out to them anymore the hat has found a place to hang.

I bet you would look great in a cowboy hat.

Pass the pot please.

HermitJim said...

Hey Mamahen...
When I was younger and going to dances and such, I had me a good cowboy hat! Boots and western cloths (including hat) were all we wore!

Now that I'm older, it's sneakers and jeans with a sweat shirt!

Thanks for coming by today!



Hey Phyllis...
French toast sounds good today!

Thanks for dropping by today!



Hey Gorges...
I can see where that might mess it up!

Thanks for coming over today!



Hey Sunnybrook...
They are good for keeping the rain off your neck.

Thanks for coming by today!



Hey Sis...
Guess I need to get me another cowboy cover! Don't want to feel left out!

Thanks for coming by today!



Hey Linda M...
My sister used to have an Annie Oakley hat.

I like the looks of a fedora on most men. Looks kinda dressy!

Thanks for coming over!



Hey Rob...
That's what most folks call 'em, I think.

Thanks for stopping by today!



Hey Jo...
I know, I know! Need to get me one and hang it on the wall, if nothing else!

Thanks, sweetie, for dropping by today!

Dizzy-Dick said...

I got winter and summer cowboy hats. I do like wearing them. Even when I lived up north in Pennsylvania, I wore cowboy hats and cowboy boots. I guess I was always a Texan but didn't move here until 1980.