sou’-wester
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
A hat with a projection behind. Much worn at sea in "dirty" weather. A hat similar to that of a dustman or coalheaver, which is called a "fantail."
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “sou’-wester” mean?
A hat with a projection behind. Much worn at sea in "dirty" weather. A hat similar to that of a dustman or coalheaver, which is called a "fantail."
Is “sou’-wester” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.