The 'stereotypical' Australian hats (with corks hanging from them)...what is the purpose of the corks? And do

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threemoggies

Yes, in the outback and the corks keep flies off your face!

iansand9876

The main function of the corks is a marketing device to con tourists into buying ridiculously overpriced hats.

Has anyone ever seen anyone wearing such a hat in the bush (apart from tourists)? I haven't.

jade=)

the corks keep flies off your face
and i've never seen anyone wear them seriously, only as a joke
but i guess farmers would

Penny J

worn in the bush to keep flies of your face. worn anywhere else by either tourists or people who should know better.

guesswho1833

Oh my god!!!!! I have never seen a real person with one of those on in my life. Im 24 and born here. bahahahahahah. Its a classic....just like what asians and americans think that when they land here they will step out onto this big red landscape and have kangaroos and koala's to greet them. Its so funny. Im sitting here in stiches. Were just like any other country but have good weather and cooler people.lol. bahahahahahah

silkin_storm

They came into prominent use during the Great depression when there were a lot of men travelling around trying to find work most often tramping around the farming (bush) areas.
Not sure of the actual era of inventing but wouldn't surprise me that they had been used long before that

The term for them was Swag man or Swagy as they carried a swag ( bedding roll) on their back because they couldn't afford a horse.

The corks are to keep flies away from the face as other posters have already written.

taxed till i die,

They keep the flies away.From your face.

beansarebest

keep the flies off

jammer

The corks were to help deter the flies from annoying the head area.

Australia is full of flies and the dangling corks are to keep them away from your face.

jonny n

They keep the flies of your dial

lizlolcoedy

to keep the flies from your face . Yes they were invented in Australia and they are normally worn in the outback.

L L

They keep the flies out of your face (well they try to!) Australian people do not wear them...my boyfriend has one but he is Italian and we bought it when we went back to AUS to visit my family.

He loves his hat...

Laura

The corks, hanging by string from the brim of the hat were to keep flies off the face. When flies became a nuisance, the wearer would swing his head side to side causing the corks to swing wildly and thus warding away the flies. I really can't say if they are still worn.

ANDREW J

keep the fly's at bay swatting etc.

Emo tional

Keeps flies outta ur face.
Hope I helped!
:)
xxx

Happy Man

I never knew this, cheers guys and gals.Have a star.

tomthefishman

The corks are to stop flies from getting in peoples faces. Hot country = lots of flies.

sosgez

To keep flies out of your face.

Yes everyone is required by law to have such a hat.
The best kind are made of kangeroo skin, and they scrunch up into a little ball in your pocket.

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