Burnside

/ˈbɜrnsaɪd/ noun

Definition

Facial hair grown on the cheeks and chin but shaved from the upper lip; sideburns.

Etymology

Named after Union General Ambrose Burnside (1824-1881), who was famous for his distinctive facial hair style during the American Civil War. Originally called 'burnsides,' it was later reversed to 'sideburns.'

Kelly Says

One of the few words named after a person's appearance rather than their achievements—Civil War General Ambrose Burnside's wild whiskers became so iconic that his name stuck to the hairstyle itself, immortalized through embarrassing facial hair.

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