Haberdasher
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A haberdasher is a person who sells small, commonly used items in clothing via retail. This can include 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: KLEINS is a good example of a long established Traditional Specialist Haberdashery Business, that has been trading in London's Soho, since 1936. Also, a few department stores (such as John Lewis Partnership) still offer a small haberdashery section in their stores.
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.
[edit] 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 Bible Student Movement
- Ian R. Hall - notable Pentecostal theologian, church historian, and missionary
- Chris Dodd - Presidential Candidate
[edit] See also
he:סדקיתde:Herrenausstatter
