The verbal hat tip

I’m not sure who started the blog custom of crediting a link or an idea with a “hat tip,” an informal public credit, preferably with link. A quick survey of Google and Wikipedia did not turn up anything remotely definitive or useful. I welcome updates.

However, in a strange tech crossover in the real world, I’ve started hearing all the verbal hat tips that are part of normal conversation and noting the commonality. “In the NY Times yesterday, there was an article…” “Blue is more powerful than green, Rich told me.” “Four out of five dentists agree…”

The blog adoption of the age-old habit of coopting authority from other sources is both obvious and useful. It’s humble, in that it shares the credit. It’s fascinating in that we depend, even when listening, on someone besides the person we’re talking to for validation of the ideas or facts which are shared.

What happens when the idea is original? Do you throw out there, “As I always say, haste makes waste” and live with the possibility of sounding like a pompous ass, even if you are the source?