by 
Max Power
ANSWERS: 1
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many origins: This expression comes from the American West, where the signal for a fight was often just the drop of a hat. Alternative: Irish origin, based on the saying, "He's ready to fight at the drop of a hat", followed by "Roll up your sleeves", or "Take off your coat" (i.e. clothing is involved in the start of fights). Alternative: During the days of fairground boxing competitions, the public were invited to try their skill against the resident pugilist. In those days all men wore hats. In order to indicate willingness to enter the fray a man in the crowd would throw his hat into the ring. Since he was then bare-headed, he was easily identified as he made his way up to the ring.
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