Most football fans will understand what is meant when a player is said to have scored a hat-trick, but what are the roots of the word?
Scoring goals is the chief aim of any striker, but there is a particular satisfaction to be gained by scoring a hat-trick.
Such is the difficulty of actually putting the ball into the back of the net that the achievement of a hat-trick is uniquely lauded.
The term itself has origins in the 19th century and it is now a common feature of football's everyday lexicon.
Goal takes a look at the what it means, when it first came into use, records and more.
What is a hat-trick?
The term 'hat-trick' is used when a player achieves the feat of scoring three goals in a single game.
Goals do not need to be scored in succession and it does not matter whether they are scored during normal regulation time or extra time.
Due to the relative rarity of the feat, it has become tradition for players who score a hat-trick of goals to be given the match ball as a symbolic reward or memento.
When a player has scored two goals in a game - which is sometimes known as 'a brace' - they are often described as being "on a hat-trick" due to the fact that another goal will complete a hat-trick.
In Italy, a hat-trick is described as a
tripletta and in France it is known as a coup du chapeau or triplé . Interestingly, the English term hat-trick tends to be used in Germany and Spain.
What is a "perfect hat-trick"?
In football, a "perfect hat-trick" can be achieved by scoring one goal with the right foot, one goal with the left foot and one goal with the head.
Why is it called a hat-trick?
Nowadays, the term 'hat-trick' is widely used across a variety of sports, but it is believed to have originated in cricket.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary , it was first used in 1858 after English cricketer H.H. Stephenson took three wickets in three consecutive deliveries during a game between an all-England team and Hallam.
A collection was held afterwards, with money being placed into a hat before being presented to Stephenson.
There are also connotations associated with the practice of magicians conjuring unexpected items from a hat

Say what?

Rico96:
Most football fans will understand what is meant when a player is said to have scored a hat-trick, but what are the roots of the word?
Scoring goals is the chief aim of any striker, but there is a particular satisfaction to be gained by scoring a hat-trick.
Such is the difficulty of actually putting the ball into the back of the net that the achievement of a hat-trick is uniquely lauded.
The term itself has origins in the 19th century and it is now a common feature of football's everyday lexicon.
Goal takes a look at the what it means, when it first came into use, records and more.
What is a hat-trick?
The term 'hat-trick' is used when a player achieves the feat of scoring three goals in a single game.
Goals do not need to be scored in succession and it does not matter whether they are scored during normal regulation time or extra time.
Due to the relative rarity of the feat, it has become tradition for players who score a hat-trick of goals to be given the match ball as a symbolic reward or memento.
When a player has scored two goals in a game - which is sometimes known as 'a brace' - they are often described as being "on a hat-trick" due to the fact that another goal will complete a hat-trick.
In Italy, a hat-trick is described as a
tripletta and in France it is known as a coup du chapeau or triplé . Interestingly, the English term hat-trick tends to be used in Germany and Spain.
What is a "perfect hat-trick"?
In football, a "perfect hat-trick" can be achieved by scoring one goal with the right foot, one goal with the left foot and one goal with the head.

The only part you didn't tell us is exactly why it is called a hat-trick.