Introduction: Hair, an integral part of human identity and expression, has woven its way into the fabric of language across cultures and centuries. Beyond its biological purpose, hair has become a powerful metaphor in numerous sayings and idioms that encapsulate human experiences, emotions, and wisdom. From reflecting states of mind to describing life situations, these hair-related phrases offer a fascinating glimpse into how a simple strand of hair can carry profound meanings. This article explores a selection of these sayings, each with its unique origin and significance, demonstrating the versatility and richness of hair as a linguistic symbol.
- “Hair of the dog that bit you”: This phrase is often used to suggest that the best cure for what ails you is to have some more of it. It originally referred to the belief that someone bitten by a rabid dog could be cured of rabies by taking a potion containing some of the dog’s hair. There is a more detailed page about the history of this saying elsewhere on keratin.com if you search for it.
- “Let your hair down”: This saying means to relax and enjoy yourself without worrying about what other people will think. It’s believed to come from the days when women wore elaborate hairstyles that were time-consuming to maintain, and letting their hair down was a sign of relaxation or informality.
- “Splitting hairs”: This phrase means making fine or overly subtle distinctions; arguing about trivial matters. It originates from the idea that hair is thin and splitting it even further is a task of unnecessary precision. This phrase can be traced back to the 17th Century.
- “Bad hair day”: A popular phrase used to describe a day when everything seems to go wrong, often starting with how one’s hair looks. It implies that things are going poorly, sometimes for superficial or vain reasons.
- “A Hair’s breadth”: This means a very small distance or a very narrow margin. It comes from the idea of the width of a hair being very tiny, and so signifies a very close call or narrow escape. In 19th Century England the measurement was quite specific referring to a forty-eighth part of an inch. Today however, a hair’s breadth is used in a more general way.
- “Pulling one’s hair out”: This phrase is used to express extreme frustration or anxiety. It’s a metaphor for the actions someone might take when feeling extremely stressed or troubled.
- “To a hair”: This idiom means exactly or precisely. It’s used to describe something that is done with great accuracy or matches something perfectly.
- “Hair-raising”: This term is often used to describe something that is very frightening or exciting. It’s a reference to the way hair might stand on end when someone is scared or thrilled.
- “Keep your hair on”: A British saying that means to stay calm and not get angry. It’s akin to telling someone not to get so worked up about something that they metaphorically lose their hair.
- “Not turn a hair”: This idiom is used to describe remaining calm and not showing any emotion in a situation that might normally cause someone to be upset or flustered.
- “Without turning a hair”: A slightly different meaning indicating any sign of fatigue or distress. In the 19th Century, the classic example given was; “a horse will run a certain distance at a given rate without turning a hair”.
- “Against the hair”: A saying that has largely fallen out of use, but it means against the grain, contrary to its nature. “If you should fight, you go against the hair of your professions.” —Shakespeare: Merry Wives of Windsor, ii. 3. A book published in 1589, sneers at a deceased man because he would not be laid East to West (a traditional burial positioning in early Christianity) “for he ever went against the hair.”
- “The greatest events are often drawn by hairs”: This saying suggests that significant outcomes can often be traced back to seemingly trivial causes. For instance, the formulation of the law of gravitation by Isaac Newton is popularly attributed to the simple act of an apple falling from a tree, an everyday occurrence that led to monumental scientific insight. Likewise, the invention of glass is reputed to have occurred when Phoenician merchants accidentally created it by setting a fire on sandy shores.
- “By the hair of (my) chinny chin chin”: This phrase was popularized by the story of the Three Little Pigs. It is sometimes used to emphasize a narrow escape or a defiant stand against a threat.
- “To comb ones hair the wrong way”: This means to cross or vex one by running counter to a person’s prejudices, opinions, or habits. This saying has largely fallen out of use since the mid 20th Century.
- “Hair by hair”: This comes from a longer saying; “Hair by hair you will pull out the horse’s tail”. In other words, progress can be made little by little and accumulate. The classic example given by Brewer’s Dictionary is: “Plutarch says that Serto’rius, in order to teach his soldiers that perseverance and wit are better than brute force, had two horses brought before them, and set two men to pull out their tails. One of the men was a burly Hercules, who tugged and tugged, but all to no purpose; the other was a sharp, weasen-faced tailor, who plucked one hair at a time, amidst roars of laughter, and soon left the tail quite bare”.
- “Wear a hair shirt”: This saying refers to practicing self-mortification or penance as a means of expressing guilt and atonement. Historically, a hair shirt was a garment made from coarse animal hair, often worn by monks or religious penitents directly against the skin. The discomfort and irritation caused by the shirt served as a constant reminder of one’s sins and a form of physical penance. In modern usage, the phrase metaphorically signifies that someone is deliberately choosing to undergo discomfort or hardship, often as a way of showing repentance, enduring punishment, or demonstrating sincerity in their resolve to be better. It can also be used to describe unnecessary suffering someone imposes on themselves out of guilt or a sense of duty.
- “Make your hair curl”: The saying is used to describe something that is extremely shocking, frightening, or horrifying enough to cause a physical reaction akin to one’s hair standing on end. It implies that the event or information is so startling or alarming that it could figuratively cause your hair to curl from the shock. This idiom is often used humorously or hyperbolically in conversation to emphasize the intensity or the dramatic nature of a story, news, or experience. It reflects the way extreme emotions can seemingly affect one’s physical appearance, even though this is, of course, a metaphorical expression. It seems to have been first written in the 20th Century as a variation of “making your hair stand on end”.
- “Put hair on your chest“: The saying is commonly used to describe something that is thought to make someone stronger, tougher, or more mature, often in a humorous or exaggerated manner. It usually refers to consuming something particularly strong or potent, like a stiff drink or spicy food, or enduring a challenging experience. The phrase is based on the traditional association of chest hair with masculinity and maturity. Therefore, when someone says that something will “put hair on your chest,” they are suggesting that it will help you build character, resilience, or manliness. This idiom is often used in jest or as a rite of passage to encourage someone to try something that might be outside their comfort zone.
- “Hide nor hair of“: The saying “hide nor hair of” is used to indicate that there is absolutely no trace or sign of someone or something. It stems from hunting language, referring to the inability to find any part of an animal, including its hide (skin) or hair. In everyday usage, it means that someone or something has completely disappeared or cannot be found.
The language we use is a tapestry, woven with threads of culture, history, and human experience. Hair, in its various forms and meanings, has given rise to a rich collection of idioms that not only add color and depth to our conversations but also offer a glimpse into the perspectives and traditions of different times and places. Whether expressing frustration, precision, relaxation, or fear, these hair-related sayings remind us of the power of language to capture the intricacies of human life. It’s fascinating to reflect on how something as commonplace as hair can be transformed into expressions laden with meaning, humor, and wisdom. This exploration of hair idioms is more than just an academic exercise; it’s a journey through the nuances of human expression, a testament to our shared and diverse linguistic heritage.
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