Old Hats, New Hats, and WonderWorks

Send us Fan Mail In episode 93 of I Hate Talking, the hosts tackle a listener‑requested phrase: “old hat.” They unpack its meaning as something outdated, overused, or overly familiar, often carrying a slightly negative sense of being boring or unstylish. Drawing on early 20th‑century usage, they note how “old hat” shifted from literal fashion—when last season’s hat quickly became passé—to a broader metaphor for ideas or practices that feel stale, even quoting author Sir Arthur Quiller‑Couch’s description of certain religious doctrines as “old hat” to show how the phrase can imply mild disgust rather than cozy familiarity.From there, the conversation shifts into their ongoing mini‑series reviewing family outings, this time focusing on the WonderWorks “upside‑down” museum. They describe the disorienting spinning tunnel entrance, an indoor ropes course suspended above the food court, giant bubble stations, animal‑design projections onto a digital savanna, and an interactive augmented‑reality sand table that morphs into hills, plains, and water as you shape it. With stories about kids bravely navigating the ropes course (and calling staff for help when needed), a hurricane simulator, laser tag, and even the delight of finding chocolate milk in the vending machines, they conclude that WonderWorks is a fun, hands‑on choice for families—especially with children—while joking that the experience is anything but “old hat.”Keywords: old hat meaning, idiom origins, outdated expressions, Sir Arthur Quiller‑Couch, WonderWorks review, upside‑down museum, ropes course, family attractions, interactive exhibits, I Hate Talking podcast. Support the show---Any views expressed on this podcast are those solely of the hosts and is for entertainment purposes only. None of the content is medical advice or financial advice. Special thanks to Tim Wright aka CoLD SToRAGE for his permission to use the song Operatique.