🎩 Keep (Something) Under One’s Hat, To 🤫
Definition: To preserve secrecy about something. This term conjures up the delightful image of stuffing secrets under headgear, where they are safely obscured from prying eyes. Dating from the late 19th century, it harks back to a time when hats were more than mere fashion statements—they were secret-keepers par excellence.
Quotes to Consider:
“Keep it under your hat! You must agree to do that. Promise not to breathe a word.” — Popular 1920s Song
Similar Terms and Related Expressions:
- In the dark: Kept uninformed or unaware of something.
- Lock, stock, and barrel: Including everything; in full. When keeping secrets, everything stays safeguarded.
- Button your lip: Don’t tell anyone!
Antonyms:
- Spill the beans: Reveal a secret or disclose information prematurely.
- Let the cat out of the bag: Accidentally reveal a secret.
- Blab: To talk too much about something, especially secrets.
Humorous Insight: “Ever try keeping a secret anywhere else but under your hat? Not possible! Perhaps it’s because the head’s warmth keeps secrets cozy.”
Proverbs and References:
- “Discretion is the better part of valor, but how often do we find valor without any rumor?” – Proverb raises an eyebrow at heroic tales devoid of tittle-tattle.
Suggested Literature & Media:
- “The Scarlet Pimpernel” by Baroness Orczy: Espionage and secrets abound.
- “The Secret Keeper” by Kate Morton: A gripping novel exploring a decades-old secret.
- “Whisper Network” by Chandler Baker: When keeping things under your hat may have catastrophic consequences.
In closing, keep your secrets tucked away snugly under your metaphorical hat, cherish the art of discretion, and remember that some secrets are best savored slowly, like a well-brewed cup of tea. Keep guessing, keep wondering, and most importantly—keep it under your hat.
Inspirational Thought: “Of all secrets, the secret of keeping them is the most essential.” - N. B. Noteworthy✍️
