Widow's peak
A widow's peak is a distinct point in the hairline in the center of the forehead. The term widow's peak is from the belief that hair growing to a point on the forehead is an omen of early widowhood. This hair anomaly is a result of a lower-than-usual position of the intersection of the bilateral periorbital fields of hair-growth suppression on the forehead. In stories this trait is associated with a villain, such as in the case of Count Dracula.
Definition
A widow's peak is a distinct point in the hairline in the center of the forehead;[1] it is a dominant inherited trait,[2] and typically does not skip generations.[3] There are varying degrees of the peak.[3] People who don't have a widow's peak have a hairline that is truly straight across, almost like following a circle.[3]
Etymology
The term widow's peak is from the belief that hair growing to a point on the forehead – suggestive of the peak of a widow's hood – is an omen of early widowhood.[4] Peak is the same word as pike and beak, all of which refer to something that has a projecting point.[5] The use of peak in relation to hair dates from 1833.[6] The expression widow's peak dates from 1849.[6] The use of peak may refer to the beak or bill of a headdress, particularly the distinctive hood with a pointed piece in front – a biquoquet[5] – which widows wore as a hood of mourning dating from 1530.[6] Another explanation for the origin of the phrase suggests that it may be related to the mourning caps worn as early as the 16th century.[7] A mourning cap or Mary Stuart Cap is a cap which features a very distinctive triangular fold of cloth in the middle of the forehead, creating an artificial widow's peak.[7] The use of peak referring to a point in the cloth covering the forehead dates to at least 1509 when it appears in Alexander Barclay’s The Shyp of Folys:
And ye Jentyl wymen whome this lewde vice doth blynde Lased on the backe: your peakes set a loft.[8]
Causes
The widow's peak hair anomaly is interpreted as being the result of a lower-than-usual position of intersection of the bilateral periorbital fields of hair-growth suppression on the forehead.[9] This can occur because the periorbital fields of hair-growth suppression are smaller than usual, or because they are widely spaced.[9] Wide spacing also explains the association between ocular hypertelorism and widow's peak;[9] this was suggested by findings in an unusual case of ocular hypertelorism in which surrounding scalp-hair growth was suppressed by an ectopic (displaced) eye.[10]
Villains
A number of fictional people have a widow's peak.[11] In stories and on film this trait is associated with a villain; Count Dracula is an example.[11] Eddie Munster – from the television program "The Munsters" – also had this distinctive hairline.[11] Another villain depicted as having widow's peak hair is The Joker from "Batman" comic books and films.[11] Hannibal Lecter is described as having one in the novels that feature his story.[11] Villainous Natasha Fatale from "The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show" has a widow's peak.[12]
References
- ↑ "Dominant and Recessive Traits". Retrieved April 21, 2010.
- ↑ "Human Traits: autosomal". Introductory Biology I Lab Projects. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Dougherty, Kristiann PhD (September 12, 2007). "Genetics - widow's peak". Retrieved April 22, 2010.
- ↑ "Online Etymology Dictionary". Online Etymology Dictionary. http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?l=w. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Take Our Word for It" (67). January 3, 2000. Retrieved April 22, 2010.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Expressions & Sayings:W". Expressions & Sayings:W. http://users.tinyonline.co.uk/gswithenbank/sayingsw.htm. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Smith, S.E. (updated April 4, 2010) What is a Widow's Peak?. (Report). Retrieved April 21, 2010.
- ↑ Wilton, David. "Wordorigins.org". Wordorigins.org. http://www.wordorigins.org/index.php/widows_peak/. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Hall, Judith G.; Allanson, Judith; Gripp, Karen; Slavotinek, Anne (2007). Handbook of physical measurements. Oxford medical publications. p. 336. ISBN 0195301498, 9780195301496 Check
|isbn=value: invalid character (help). - ↑ Smith, D.W.; Cohen, M.M. (November 17, 1973). "Widow's Peak Scalp-Hair Anomaly and its Relation to Ocilar Hyperthelorism". The Lancet. 302 (7838): 1127.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 Redmond, J.C. (September 2, 2009). Arnold, Paul, ed. "What Causes Widow's Peak Hair?". Retrieved April 21, 2010.
- ↑ "Genetics Problem Worksheet": Problem 14. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
