L U N A T A L K with Eva Moon

Bang

April 1, 2009 on 8:09 pm | | In General Musing

Bangs: According to etymology scholar Robert Barnhart, the term is strictly American in origin (the Brits call it fringe)  first surfacing in 1878. It was  believed influenced by the adverbial use of bang in the meaning of abruptly, as in hair cut bang off;  some sources offer a relation to earlier bangtailed (1861) of a horse’s tail that has been cut horizontally across.

It’s only hair right? But when it comes to bangs, it’s a decision you have to live with or suffer the anguish of growing them out. My hair has gotten long - waist length - and bangless. I haven’t had a haircut in over a year. But today, on a whim, I cut bangs. What do you think?

The real danger of bangs, as anyone who’s done it knows, is the anguish of growing them out when you don’t want them anymore. You go through all the stages:

1. Denial: It won’t be so bad. I’ll just brush them to one side. It will look cute.
2. Anger: Get this goddamn hair out of my eyes!
3. Bargaining: I’ve given you gel. I’ve given you hairspray. I’ve given you bobby pins. Why won’t you stay in place?
4. Depression: I’m going to look like a frizzy-headed freak for the rest of my life. Why go on?
5. Acceptance: Hand me the scissors.

A friend of mine shaves her head every few years. She says it’s to remind herself that nothing is permanent. I don’t have quite that much courage. It doesn’t hurt that she’s tall, lean, tattooed and looks adorable with a half inch of hair.

I never knew the origin of the word. I’m so pleased to have something in common with a horse’s ass.

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