We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Haberdasher?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: Jan 23, 2024
Views: 16,715
Share

A haberdasher is someone who deals in small sewing articles related to clothing, or in clothing itself. The meaning of the word is actually different, depending on where in the world one is. In the United States, most people take the word to mean someone who deals in men's clothing, including suits, accessories, and so forth. In Britain and Australia, a haberdasher is someone who sells sewing notions such as buttons, zippers, trim, lace, and other sundries. The divergent meanings of this word reflect the divergence in spoken English which occurred surprisingly early in American history.

This word first emerged in the 13th century, and initially it was used in reference to peddlers who sold any number of sundries, from pots and pans to buttons. The term may come from a Scandinavian root, but its origins are obscure. It certainly does not have anything to do with “dashing” anywhere, and it may come from hapertas, a word meaning “small wares.” Whatever the origins, it was in common use by the 16th century.

Around the 1700s, divergent meanings for this word began to appear. In some regions, people started using the term specifically to refer to a seller of hats. Although English speakers in Britain thought of haberdashers as salesmen of various sewing supplies, Americans referred to men's clothing stores as “haberdasheries.” This may have been the result of a trend towards off-the-rack suits in the United States, and perhaps some people who sold sewing supplies ended up selling men's garments instead, retaining their names and confusing the meaning of “haberdasher.”

This term is not widely used today, although some old businesses retain the name “haberdasher's” or “haberdashery,” reflecting the fact that they were established in a bygone era. Some people today use the term in reference to hat sales, and the profession also turns up in books set in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Some people also simply enjoy the old-fashioned sound of “haberdasher,” including the word in parodies, poems, and fanciful stories.

Some notable people have been employed as haberdashers at some point in their lives. Harry S. Truman, a former President of the United States, worked as a haberdasher in his youth, as did Captain James Cook, the famed British explorer. In Cook's case, he was actually a full apprentice, training to take over the business before eventually losing interest and pursuing a life at sea.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-is-a-haberdasher.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.