hard-hat

or hard·hat

[ hahrd-hat ]
/ ˈhɑrdˌhæt /

noun Informal.

a construction worker, especially a member of a construction workers' union.
a working-class conservative.

adjective

pertaining to or characteristic of hard-hats: enlisting hard-hat support for his policies.

Origin of hard-hat

First recorded in 1960–65

Definition for hard-hat (2 of 2)

hard hat

noun

a protective helmet of metal or plastic, especially as worn by construction or factory workers.
a uniformed soldier of a regular army, as opposed to a guerrilla.

Origin of hard hat

First recorded in 1925–30

British Dictionary definitions for hard-hat

hard hat

noun

a hat made of a hard material for protection, worn esp by construction workers, equestrians, etc
informal, mainly US and Canadian a construction worker

adjective hard-hat

informal, mainly US characteristic of the presumed conservative attitudes and prejudices typified by construction workers

Idioms and Phrases with hard-hat

hard hat

A working-class ultraconservative. For example, They were counting on a large number of votes from the hard hats. This term alludes to the rigid protective headgear worn by construction workers, who were noted for their conservatism during the tumultuous 1960s. [c. 1960]