Tinfoil hat. What does it mean?

[NeoConsSuck]

I hear the term used a lot and haven't a clue.

[Catch22Dem]

1. Usually in reference to a conspiracy theory

For example: "tin foil hat time, the power just went out in my house...was it because Ashcroft knows I was on DU?"

Literally, it's a hat, made of foil, so "they" can't read your thoughts. HEHEHEHE

[truhavoc]

2. I find it as a reference to the movie "signs" but it could predate it

In the movie tinfoil hats were worn by the actors in parts as a signifier of paranoia about the aliens in the case of the movie...therefore just another phrase referring to paranoia.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

6. The expression, and concept, is much older than "Signs". The stereotype

is of the paranoid schizophrenic who wants to wear tinfoil or some other kind of protective gear/substance on their head to either prevent their thoughts from being read, or from having thoughts, instructions, or voices projected INTO their head as in a radio signal.

Here on DU it is basically a shorthand for wild eyed conspiracy theorist ("tinfoil hatter").

[miss_kitty]

3. Tinfoil Hat? It's necessary safety equipment

it keeps you from being affected by the Q-Rays, from Planet Zeron.

[cally]

4. You put on a tinfoil hat to protect yourself from aliens

In DU terms, it means that someone is accepting a crazy, conspiracy story or theory. Sadly, many of those crazy, wacky theories are true.

[Lefty48197]

5. I thought it was to protect you from the "flames"

.