Word of the Day

: October 21, 2007

hat trick

noun HAT-TRICK

What It Means

1 : the retiring of three batsmen with three consecutive balls by a bowler in cricket

2 : the scoring of three goals in one game (as of hockey or soccer) by a single player

3 : a series of three victories, successes, or related accomplishments

hat trick in Context

The author scored a publishing hat trick, writing three best sellers in a row.

Did You Know?

It may surprise some people to learn that the term "hat trick" as it relates to sports actually originated in British cricket. A bowler who retired three batsmen with three consecutive balls was entitled to a new hat at the expense of the club to commemorate this feat. Eventually, the phrase was applied to a single player scoring three goals in any goal sport and later to three victories or successes in sports as different as horse racing and golf. The phrase finally broadened to include a string of three important successes or achievements in any field.

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.