Plural of busby, a tall military headdress with a furry exterior, traditionally worn by certain military units and the British royal guard.
From 'busby,' which likely derived from a German or Scandinavian word. The tall fur hat became iconic in 18th-century military fashion, particularly among hussars and later British guards.
The Guards' bearskin caps (busbies) caused such controversy over animal welfare that scientists spent years developing synthetic fur—yet tradition kept the real bearskins, showing how even modern institutions struggle between heritage and ethics.
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