hard hat

1. modifier Requiring the use of rigid protective headgear, usually a location or area. This is a hard-hat zone, so you won't be let in unless you're wearing the appropriate protective clothes. Of course this is a hard-hat area—it's in the middle of a construction site! Would you get out of here? If the boss sees you in the hard-hat zone without one, I'll be the one who gets in trouble!

2. modifier Of or characterized by extremely conservative views, beliefs, or opinions. This area of the country has some pretty entrenched hard-hat politics. With my hard-hat views, I struggled to make friends in that very liberal city. Many hard-hat political views are considered radical by other Americans.

3. noun A construction worker, in reference to the protective headpiece made from rigid metal or plastic that is often worn in construction work. Though the work was tough, I loved working as a hard hat when I was younger. I never enjoy when hard hats eye me up, but it's just something you have to put up with when you live in a city. Now that the property market has begun to boom, hard hats are much sought after once again.

4. noun Any working-class individual with extremely conservative views or beliefs. Though opinion polls show the governor's approval ratings slipping in the rest of the state, she still enjoys considerable support from hard hats in more rural areas. In towns full of hard hats, more conservative politicians tend to dominate the political scene. Those liberal views you're spouting won't get you much support from the hard hats around here.

hard hat

A working-class ultraconservative. For example, They were counting on a large number of votes from the hard hats. This term alludes to the rigid protective headgear worn by construction workers, who were noted for their conservatism during the tumultuous 1960s. [c. 1960]

hardhat

1. n. a protective helmet worn around construction sites. (Standard English.) You’ll need a hardhat to come into this area.

2. n. a construction worker. (Usually derogatory.) The hardhats didn’t care much for the actress’s politics.

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References in periodicals archive

According to maintenance supervisor, PCC Terna, Denis Francisco the HardHat is a C[pounds sterling]really tough machine ideal for BahrainCOs harsh desert-like conditions, heat and humidity.C[yen]

Atlas Copco compressors arrive at Riffa Views

Atlas Copco began offering the HardHat canopy on the XAS 185 JD7 compressor in February.

Atlas Copco machines focus on durability

In addition to the Hardhat Awards, the AGC also honored Swalling Construction as "Subcontractor of the Year." Swalling won the award for its part in the Fort Richardson Moose Run golf course upgrade.

AGC: The BEST OF THE BEST

The hardhat version meets ANSI Type I and II hardhat standards.

Safety Products and Services Presented at Seminar

Through oily, acrid smoke, sweat glistens on his bulging biceps and naked chest, and above the taut, fine line of his mouth, a scarred hardhat is pushed back to expose a curly hank of virile, dark hair.

The Lincoln-log syndrome

"There has already been a strong interest and initial leasing activity using only fleer plans and hardhat tours," said Tom Lebling, Equity Residential's senior vice president for the Northeast region.

Ten23 takes a bow: Equity Residential

The man said he called police after the hardhat man started rubbing himself on his car window.

Naked Brit man, dubbed Bob the Builder, harasses motorists

Reluctantly, I secured a permit, borrowed a neighbor's chainsaw and red hardhat, burned the pine needles in my pickup bed, and made ready to become a woodcutter.

Saga of the reluctant woodcutter

"Despite these limitations, and the additional challenge of working in a remote market, we were able to complete this project within established parameters by managing construction documents and communication between all team members." Work on the office space commenced while the building was still under construction, which resulted in numerous hardhat meetings.

MKDA completes state-of-the-art office installation

Employees give each child a Woodenwings T-shirt and hardhat. The crew tells the kids they are junior members of the team.

Little helpers. (Field Notes)

Halfway up a hillside in the Shirakami Mountains, a logger wearing a canary-yellow hardhat and kneehigh split-toed boots withdraws a machete from a cherry-bark sheath slung on his belt.

Land of the pampered plantation

Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri, who took over last year at a time when New York was contending with several high-profile construction disasters, was in attendance with his own hardhat.

City remembers fallen workers at memorial mass

Afterwards, when Pork Belly had driven off shaking his head, Sonny told us in no uncertain terms that henceforth there would be absolutely no interruptions during a safety-meeting presentation, and that the first person to violate this edict would be kicking his hardhat home.

An ounce of prevention; up in the Kaniksu, the most hazardous duty can be surviving the safety meetings