What is the meaning of the idiom be a hat check clerk at an ice rink?

Answer 1

A hat check clerk is someone who stores people's hats while they are at a restaurant or other establishment (like an ice rink). This idiom is hinting that you have a low-level, slightly demeaning, job that anyone could do.

Multimedia performance artist, Laurie Anderson wrote a song called Let X=X about a hat check clerk. Here is the text:

I met this guy - and he looked like might have been a hat check clerk at an ice rink. which, in fact, he turned out to be.

and I said: oh boy. right again. let x=x.

you know, it could be you.

its a Sky-blue sky. Th satellites are out tonight. let x=x.

You know, I could write a book. and this book would be think enough to stun an ox. cause I can see the future and it's a place - about 70 miles from here. where it's lighter. linger on over here. got the time? let x=x.

I got this postcard. and it read, it said: dear amigo - dear partner. listen, uh - I just want to say thanks. so...thanks

Thanks for all the presents. thanks for introducing me to the chief. thanks for putting on the feedbag.

thanks for going all out.

thanks for showing me your swiss army knife.

and uh - thanks for letting me autograph your cast.

hug and kisses. xxxxoooo.

oh yeah, p.s. I - feel - feel like - I am - in a burning building - and I gotta go. cause I - I feel - feel like - I am - in a burning building and I gotta go.