An expression used to indicate:

1. a. when named positions of authority are really just nominal roles

b. extends to other positions

2. a. when several differently named positions of authority have no real distinction

b. extends to other positions
President, honorary secretary, captain, it's all hats
by Bilenium May 10, 2008
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Description of a person that is all talk and no substance; full of big talk but lacking action; a person who canot back up his/her words; a fake; a pretender.
That guy is all hat, no cattle. Pay no attention to him.
by Randy Cline May 29, 2006
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Originally used in reference to people imitating the fashion or style of cowboys. These people wore the hats, but had no experience on the ranch -- thus, all hat, no cattle. Similar to talking the talk without walking the walk (which was originally used in reference to wanabe gunslingers).
Roger says he's a great cook, but he sliced his thumb off trying to peel a potato. He's all hat, no cattle.
by Al September 28, 2006
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(Also, "Small Hat No Shekel")

Said of or in reference to an outspoken Jew who has neither the influence nor resources to back up his preposterous claims or threats. (Cf. "All Hat No Saddle")
Saul at the corner deli is just "small hat no shekel" -- for all his talk of "friends in high places," why is it he's still slinging corn beef hash?
by JebediahSpringfield88 January 12, 2023
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A slang phrase from the Southwestern United States, indicating a person is more image or projection than actual substance.
It is probably derived from the region's contempt for people who are not cowboys or ranchers but who try to mimic the frontiersman image through superficial adoption of the region's folkways.
President Bush's new tax plan is supposed to help the struggling middle class and revitalize the stock market. However, closer analysis reveals that he's just all hat and no cattle.
by MAC-Gyver May 27, 2003
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This is a saying (and I can't for the life of me find the origins) that means that someone is all talk and no action/substance. Someone who dresses nicely but doesn't really have any money.
Joe says he makes a lot of money and wants to buy my business, but after checking his credit references I've found that he's all hat and no cattle.
by Florida Biker August 20, 2011
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Originating: American South West.

Loosely Synonymous: Superficial, Not Authentic, Less Than Meets the Eye.

Literally referring to someone who wears a cowboy/rancher style hat & clothes, but has no cattle or live stock. An individual dressing like someone they are not.

Figuratively or metaphorically referring to someone who does not meet the expectations or image that they put forth. A person who doesn't back up what they insinuate or say.
He walks around town with his 10-gallon hat and a bolo tie, but that's all it is. He's all hat and not cattle.

He says he can cook authentic Italian dishes better than a restaurant, but after he made me Chicken Parm that night I can tell he's All Hat and No Cattle.
by Mack'nJackson June 18, 2018
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