HABERDASHER

A 'haberdasher' is a person who sells small items via retail, commonly items used in clothing, such as ribbons and buttons, or completed accessories, such as hats or gloves. A haberdasher's shop or the items sold therein are called 'haberdashery'.
The exact definition of haberdasher depends on the locale. In the United States and Canada, it is primarily used for a person who sells men's clothing accessories (an example of this is KJ Beckett). In the British Isles, it is more common to hear this word in reference to someone who sells buttons, thread, ribbons, or drapery, but the term is much less common than it once was as fewer people make their own clothes nowadays. In 21st century Britain specialist haberdashery shops are rare, but many department stores (such as John Lewis Partnership) still have a haberdashery department.
Early usage of the term "haberdasher" refers to a retailer of many accessories, including swords, horns, mousetraps, and crucifixes.
The term may come from the Anglo-Norman word ''hapertas'', meaning petty wares.

Contents

Notable haberdashers

See also

Notable haberdashers

★ Robert Aske — philanthropist

★ Captain James Cook, (R.N., FRS) — (18th century British navigator and explorer, apprenticed in his youth)

★ John Graunt - one of the first demographers

★ Saint Louis IX — King of France in 1215, the patron saint of haberdashers

★ Joseph Merrick - AKA the Elephant Man worked as a haberdasher before being a freak show act

★ Paavo Nurmi — legendary Finnish runner

★ Nigel Tufnel - Former lead guitarist of Spinal Tap.

★ Harry S. Truman — former U.S. President

★ Johnny Carson - of the Tonight Show.

★ Charles Taze Russell - the founder of the Jehovah's Witnesses

See also

★ Draper

★ Millinery

★ Worshipful Company of Haberdashers