Sidecurls

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Strands of hair grown or styled to hang down beside the temples, often associated with certain religious or cultural hairstyles
2. Hair sections left to fall along each side of the face, typically curled or left natural as a form of traditional or symbolic grooming
3. Locks of hair maintained on the sides of the head, frequently serving as a distinctive feature in cultural, religious, or fashion expressions

Etymology: The term "sidecurls" refers to the distinctive ringlet-like locks of hair that grow down the sides of the face, often associated with certain religious or cultural traditions. Its history is closely tied to Jewish culture, where such curls—known as "payot" or "peyos"—are worn by some men and boys in observance of the biblical injunction against shaving the "corners" of one’s head found in Leviticus 19:27. The English compound word is straightforwardly formed from "side," meaning the lateral part of the head or face, and "curls," denoting hair that naturally coils or spirals. Although the exact phrase "sidecurls" likely emerged in English in the 19th or early 20th century, the practice it describes dates back millennia, rooted in Hebrew tradition. The word itself does not come directly from Hebrew but rather is an English descriptive term crafted to denote this visually distinctive hairstyle. In English usage, "sidecurls" often appears in discussions of Jewish identity, religious customs, or cultural dress, and it has sometimes been used more broadly to describe similar hairstyles in other contexts. Its formation follows a common English pattern of combining a location or orientation word with a descriptive noun, creating a compound that is immediately transparent in meaning. Thus, the word captures a visible, culturally significant feature through a simple linguistic construction, linking a physical attribute with its cultural and religious significance without needing complex etymological roots.

Synonyms: payot, peyos, sidelocks