Decoder Ring | Mystery of the Mullet (Encore)
Slow Burn
Deep Dive
Why is the mullet considered a cultural mystery?
The mullet is a cultural mystery because its history involves not just the hairstyle itself but also the origin of the term 'mullet.' The word 'mullet' wasn't documented until 1994, despite the hairstyle being popular in the 1980s. This discrepancy has led to investigations into who named the mullet and how the term became associated with the hairstyle.
Who popularized the modern mullet in the 1970s?
David Bowie popularized the modern mullet in the early 1970s. Inspired by a Kansai Yamamoto model, Bowie's hairstylist created the iconic Ziggy Stardust haircut, which featured short, bristling hair in the front and long, flipped-out hair in the back. This androgynous style became a hallmark of Bowie's extraterrestrial persona.
What role did hockey players play in the mullet's popularity?
Hockey players played a significant role in popularizing the mullet in the 1970s and 1980s. Players like Ron Duguay, who had a stylish mullet, helped the hairstyle cross over from rock stars to athletes and regular people. The mullet became known as 'hockey hair' or 'the Duguay' among fans and players, and it grew increasingly elaborate as the decade progressed.
Why is the term 'mullet' associated with the 1990s despite the hairstyle's 1980s popularity?
The term 'mullet' is associated with the 1990s because it wasn't documented until 1994, when the Beastie Boys released the song 'Mullet Head.' Despite the hairstyle's peak popularity in the 1980s, the lack of an agreed-upon name until the 1990s has led to a cultural misremembering of when the term originated.
What is the significance of the Beastie Boys in the history of the mullet?
The Beastie Boys played a pivotal role in the history of the mullet by popularizing the term 'mullet' in the 1990s. Their song 'Mullet Head' and a feature in their magazine 'Grand Royal' helped cement the mullet as a symbol of uncoolness and macho sleaziness. The band's efforts to name and mock the hairstyle contributed to its lasting cultural impact.
Why do people associate the mullet with being unattractive?
People associate the mullet with being unattractive because of the term's origins in the 1990s, when the Beastie Boys and others mocked it as a symbol of uncoolness and low-class machismo. This negative framing, combined with the hairstyle's overexposure by the early 1990s, led to its perception as hideous, despite its earlier popularity and versatility across genders and cultures.
What is the connection between the mullet and Australian slang?
There is speculation that the term 'mullet' may have originated in Australian slang in the late 1980s or early 1990s, given Australia's history of contributing colloquial terms to English. However, no definitive evidence supports this theory, and the first documented use of 'mullet' as a hairstyle term comes from the Beastie Boys in 1994.
- The mullet's cultural significance extends beyond its appearance.
- The episode investigates the origin of the word "mullet" and its impact on cultural memory.
- Collective misremembering of the mullet's history is a central theme.
Shownotes Transcript