Bangs!

[Stargazer]

Why do Americans refer to fringes as bangs? Anyone know?

[marval]

I have found this, not sure how accurate it is.

Per the Oxford English Dictionary, "bangs" as a term for the fringe of hair lying over the forehead originated in the stables. Horses' tails were sometimes allowed to grow to a certain length, and then were cut off in an even, horizontal trim called a "bangtail." Racehorses were sometimes called bangtails. And Green's Dictionary of Slang suggests "bangtail" actually originated in Scotland, not the US. "Bangtail" was first applied to human hairstyles as early as 1844, but the OED cites the first use of "bang" as 1878. "Bang" meaning "abrupt or sudden" has been used in English since the late 18th century

[Psybbo]

I nearly got expelled for having a bang well that's what the nuns called my fringe

[Stargazer]

Thanks Marval. I still find it strange that it was an equine term but somehow found its way to becoming applied to human coiffure.

[marval]

I find it strange too.

[Chipchopper]

I always thought that "Bang" referred to the fringe coming to an abrupt stop, hence : Bang!

[Hopkirk]

Strange people the Americans.

[Psybbo]

I suppose they find us strange too

[Hopkirk]

We are normal, it's just the rest of the world ...

[Mamyalynne]

No stranger than - Ponytail, another equestrian link.


I had a bang too,but as a curly top I had to sleep with mine sticky taped down to stop it curling at night.