Talking through his hat

Posted by Bill Bushey on April 19, 2005

There is a phrase "He's talking through his hat" that was on an archived page. The discussion about that phrase did not mention an origin; only that it means to talk nonsense. I recently came across a bio of Joseph Smith who was the founder of Mormonism. The bio stated that the Book of Mormon was transcribed by his wife while Joseph Smith translated the golden tablets from New Egyptian. While he was translating, he covered his face with his hat for some reason. Is it possible that this incident is the origin of "talking through your hat?"