Mutton chops

Mutton Chops are a style of facial hair that grow on the sides of the face, extending from the hairline to cover the cheeks and ending along the jawline. The term "mutton chops" is derived from their visual similarity to a piece of chopped mutton, particularly when shaped correctly. They are also known as "sideburns" or "side whiskers".

History

The facial hair style known as mutton chops became popular in the 19th century in Western Europe and North America, and were a common sight on men of the Victorian era. Notable historical figures such as Ambrose Burnside, a Union Army general during the American Civil War, sported this style, which led to the term "sideburns" being coined.

Styles

There are several variations of mutton chops. The 'classic' style involves letting the hair on the cheeks grow out without letting it connect with the hair on the chin or moustache. The 'friendly' mutton chops or 'Hulihee' style allows the sideburns to connect with a moustache, but not with the chin hair. The 'wolverine' style, named after the Marvel Comics character, features a full beard with the chin and moustache area shaved.

Cultural Significance

Mutton chops have been associated with various subcultures and periods. They were a symbol of the hippie movement in the 1960s and 1970s, and have been adopted by various music subcultures, such as the punk rock and heavy metal scenes. In recent years, they have seen a resurgence in popularity due to the hipster movement's embrace of vintage and retro styles.

See Also

• Beard
• Goatee
• Moustache
• Facial hair in the military