A hard, rounded hat with a narrow brim, typically black, worn formally by men.
Named after London hat makers Thomas and William Bowler in 1849, who created it for a customer who needed a low-profile hat for gamekeepers that wouldn't get knocked off by tree branches. The original order came from politician Edward Coke, who wanted a hat tough enough to protect his gamekeepers' heads from poachers' attacks. Ironically, it became the quintessential symbol of British gentlemen and city bankers rather than rural workers.
The bowler hat was literally designed as protective headgear for Victorian gamekeepers who might get attacked while chasing poachers through forests. It's hilarious that this practical 'helmet' for outdoor workers became the ultimate symbol of stuffy London businessmen and Charlie Chaplin's trademark accessory.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.