bad hair day
bad hair day (metaphor)
/bæd hɛər deɪ/
Meanings
- A day when everything seems to go wrong.
- A day when a person feels unattractive or is having a bad day generally.
- A day when a person is feeling grumpy or is in a bad mood.
- A day when one’s hair is unruly or difficult to style.
Synonyms: off day; glum day; rotten day; difficult day; trying day; rough day; bad day; horrible day; tough day; awful day
Example Sentences
- I woke up with a serious case of bed head; it’s a bad hair day, and nothing is going right with my hair.
- I spilled coffee on my shirt, missed my bus, and now my presentation is due, it’s definitely a bad hair day.
- I just don’t feel good about myself today, and with my hair not cooperating, it’s a real bad hair day.
- She’s been snapping at everyone all morning; I think she’s having a bad hair day.
Origin and History
The Country of Origin
Based on printed sources, the phrase first appeared in the United States. Evidence points to American newspapers and speech as the place where the phrase formed and began to spread.
The Earliest Known Record
The earliest known printed example of the term was found in a U.S. newspaper from 1970. This early appearance provides a clear starting point for the phrase in everyday American English.
How the Phrase Began
Initially, the phrase meant exactly what it says: a day when one’s hair is unruly, frizzy, or simply won’t style correctly. People used it literally to express frustration with their hair.
The Metaphorical Expansion of the Phrase
Over time, the meaning of the phrase expanded from a literal description of a difficult hair situation to a metaphor for a generally difficult or unpleasant day. The phrase began to represent a day when a series of small, frustrating things pile up. By the late 1980s and into the 1990s, this wider meaning was common in both speech and the media.
The Theory of Social and Practical Origin
A well-supported theory is that the phrase arose naturally from people’s common complaints about their hair. Hair is a visible and daily concern, making it a simple and relatable image for small misfortunes. The easily noticeable nature of a hair problem made it a ready metaphor for any day when things feel off.
The Influence of Media and Pop Culture
Film, television, and casual speech helped the phrase gain popularity quickly. Memorable uses in movies and television shows in the late 20th century made the expression familiar to large audiences. After these uses, people began quoting it more, and it became a common part of everyday conversation.
Other Possible Beginnings
Some theories suggest the phrase originated in advertising, with hair-product companies using similar language that eventually slipped into everyday speech. Another idea is that celebrity gossip and the rise of image-focused media in the late 20th century brought hair-related discussions to the forefront of daily conversation. It has also been suggested that the phrase evolved from slang that compared a poor performance or mood to a failed hairstyle. While these are plausible ideas, they are not supported by the earliest printed evidence.
Imaginative Theories
It is also possible, as a thought experiment, to imagine other origins. The phrase might have started as a joke among hairdressers, a quip in a theater where wigs are important, or a line in a college paper that then spread. It could have begun as a short, catchy phrase in private speech before a reporter picked it up and put it in print. These are imaginative possibilities and do not conflict with the known printed evidence.
Why the Phrase Stuck
The phrase is short, visual, and easy to understand. Nearly everyone has experienced a day when their hair looks wrong or their appearance feels off, so the phrase offers an instant, relatable image. This shared experience helped it spread quickly and remain a useful way to describe a day of bad luck or low mood.
Variants
- bad skin day
- bad face day
- having a bad day
- bad body day
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