E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Barrette.
Parler à la barrette (French). To give one a thump o’ the head. The word barrette means the cap worn by the lower orders.
1
“Et moi, je pourrais bien parler à ta barrette.”
Molière: L’Avare.
It is also used to signify the ordinary birretta of ecclesiastics and (probably) of French lawyers. Il à reçu le chapeau or la barrette. He has been made a cardinal.
2
“Le pape lui envoyait la barrette, mais elle ne servit qu’ à le faire mourir cardinal.”—Voltaire: Siècle de Louis XIV., chap. xxxix.
