Perms

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

  1. An abbreviation for permanent waves, commonly used in hairstyling to create curls or waves in the hair
  2. A popular hair treatment process that involves the use of chemicals to alter hair structure for lasting effects
  3. Referring to hair styling techniques that maintain specific curl patterns over an extended period after application

Etymology: The term "perms" is a shortened form of "permanents," referring specifically to permanent waves in hair styling. This abbreviation emerged in the early 20th century alongside the invention and popularization of the permanent wave technique, which revolutionized hairstyling by allowing curls or waves to be set into hair semi-permanently. The permanent wave itself was developed around 1906 by Karl Nessler, a German hairdresser who devised a method using heated rods and chemicals to break and reform the hair’s natural bonds. Initially, the process was lengthy and sometimes hazardous due to the chemicals and heat involved. The term "permanent" emphasized the lasting nature of the curls compared to temporary styling methods like rollers or pin curls. By the 1920s and 1930s, as the technique became more widespread and commercialized, "permanent wave" was commonly shortened to "perm" in everyday speech and advertising. This truncation made the term catchier and easier to use in salons and marketing materials. The plural "perms" naturally came to denote multiple instances of the treatment or styles resulting from the process. Linguistically, the root "permanent" comes from the Latin "permanere," meaning "to remain through," combining "per-" (through) and "manere" (to remain). The evolution from a formal adjective describing longevity to a noun naming a specific beauty treatment is a classic example of functional shift in English. Over time, the word evolved alongside beauty trends, with perms going in and out of fashion, but the term itself remains a staple in describing this iconic hairstyling method.

Synonyms: permutations, hairstyles, curls, waves, treatments