Cowlick

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Cowlick

Cowlick (/ˈkaʊˌlɪk/) is a term in English that refers to a section of hair that stands straight up or lies at an angle at odds with the style in which the rest of an individual's hair is worn. Cowlicks appear when the growth direction of the hair forms in (against) the spiral pattern. The term "cowlick" originates from the domestic bovine's habit of licking its young, which results in a swirling pattern in the hair.

Etymology

The term "cowlick" dates from the 1590s and is derived from the cow's habit of licking its calf, which results in a swirling pattern in the hair. The word combines "cow" + "lick", literally meaning "lick of a cow".

Related Terms

  • Hair whorl: A patch of hair growing in a circular direction, which can be seen as a larger version of a cowlick.
  • Hair: A protein filament that grows from follicles found in the dermis, or skin.
  • Hair follicle: A part of the skin, which grows a hair by packing old cells together.
  • Dermis: The thick layer of living tissue below the epidermis that forms the true skin, containing blood capillaries, nerve endings, sweat glands, hair follicles, and other structures.

Pronunciation

Cowlick is pronounced as /ˈkaʊˌlɪk/.

See Also

External links

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