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Throw your hat in the ring 

Submitted by Member on   4/4/2004
Last Modified

Run for political office.

There are several versions to the origin of this phrase:

1. From the Public Relations Hall of Fame on P.T. Barnum

"Entrepreneur, master showman, million-selling book author, and politician, Barnum has indelibly left his mark. He is credited with coining the phrases, "throw your hat in the ring", "let's get the show on the road," "rain or shine," and "the greatest show on earth". Ironically, the phrase he's most associated with, "there's a sucker born every minute" was actually said by a rival."
2. From Ringling.com
"In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson attended a performance of The Greatest Show On Earth. When he threw his hat into the center ring, he confirmed his candidacy for President. That's where the expression "throw your hat into the ring" comes from! That's just one of many fascinating fun facts about why the Presidency has always been a three-ring circus!"

3. From The Phrase Finder
What is the origin of throw one's hat into the ring_?
As you might expect, it comes from the boxing ring (well, we supposed that some of you might have guessed the circus ring...). In the early 19th century, when boxing was quite popular, one who wished to challenge a boxer would throw his hat into the ring. This was probably necessitated by the crowds and noise at such events; you'd be missed if you simply tried to shout out a challenge or push your way through the crowd and into the ring. John Hamilton Reynolds wrote in The Fancy: "Throw in his hat, and with a spring get gallantly within the ring." This is from 1820 and is the first recorded use of the term.

The phrase soon came to be used figuratively to mean "to enter a contest" and then "to enter a political contest". Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt used it in 1912:"My hat's in the ring", he said, meaning that he had entered the presidential race.
From Take Our Word For It (July 17, 2001)

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