Why are blonde haired and blue eyed people called toe heads?

Question

Why are blonde haired and blue eyed people called toe heads?

Question #69315. Asked by Allergic2Life.

robboy
Answer has 5 votes

Currently Best Answer

robboy
21 year member
941 replies

Answer has 5 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.

You're thinking of 'towhead', and the origin goes back a ways to Old English in reference to cloth fibers, flax and such that were (are) blonde in color.

http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/5/messages/817.html

Aug 04 2006, 9:15 PM

Sign in or Create Free User ID to participate in the discussion

Answer 1

zbeckabee
Answer has 4 votes

zbeckabee
Moderator
19 year member
11752 replies avatar

Answer has 4 votes.

Also, a "towhead" has the white-blond hair.

Aug 05 2006, 6:57 AM

Answer 2

The expression "tow-head" or "toe-head," used to describe a person with blond hair, comes from the name for the fine, oft-tangled fibers left behind in the hackles, when processing flax into linen.

Blonds are often called "flaxen-haired" too

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flax

Answer 3

The designation is not exclusive to blond Texan children. I have heard it used all over the country. A specific example, young Amish children are often described as being tow headed.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Towhead

http://amulti-coloredlife.blogspot.com/2007_12_01_archive.html

Why are blonde haired and blue eyed people called toe heads?

Other Similar Questions & Answers

Related FunTrivia Quizzes