Hair As We Know It

The English language is rich in hair-related expressions, for good reason: our hair is not only useful, it also reflects who we are. So, when we nitpick about small things, we split hairs; when we have a narrow escape, we escape by a hair's breadth; and when we have a good time, we let our hair down. Hair gives away clues about our personalities and carries cultural connotations. Pious Christian nuns cover their hair. Muslim women wear headscarves to hide theirs from the eyes of all men but their husbands and immediate family.

In India, hair is regarded as one of the most important aspects of feminine beauty. In some faiths, hair is cut during mourning. Several ancestral cultures still believe hair has magical powers; even in modern European countries some parents keep locks of their babies' hair.

Legends abound about hair

When Biblical hero Samson's long hair was cut, he lost his power; and, while blondes have more fun, redheads are believed to have a fiery temperament. Thankfully, many of these perceptions are not scientifically supported!