subs. phr. (common).—a silk hat: see GOLGOTHA.
1860. W. KELLY, Life in Victoria, 268. [Footnote]. BELL-TOPPER was the derisive name given by diggers to old style hat, supposed to indicate the dandy swell.
1885. G. A. SALA, in Daily Telegraph, 5 Aug. 5, 4. His very BELL-TOPPER hat had been garlanded with flowers.
