# old hat

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/old-hat
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Something regarded as very familiar and unoriginal, hackneyed, or out of date.

## Examples

- That old joke is old hat to me now.
- I have worked in this office for ten years, so these new rules are old hat.
- While the critics dismissed the director's latest film as old hat, the loyal audience still found the familiar themes comforting.

## Origin

From old and hat. The specific historical significance of the combination remains unknown.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.