Definition

1. Noun:
   • A mechanical device for curling hair: A crimper is a cylindrical tool, often heated, around which hair is wound to create curls or waves.
   • A person who forcibly recruits others: A crimper is someone who tricks or coerces men into service, historically as sailors or soldiers.

Examples

• Noun (Hair tool):
  • She used a crimper to create tight waves in her hair for the party.
  • The salon offers a variety of styling options, including the use of a crimper for textured looks.
• Noun (Person):
  • In the 18th century, a crimper might drug a man and deliver him to a naval ship.
  • The authorities were warned about a crimper operating near the docks.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: The term "crimper" for a recruiter is largely historical and carries a negative connotation of deceit and impressment.
  • Tales of crimpers preying on unsuspecting youths are a dark part of maritime history.

Variants and Related Words

• Crimp (verb): To press into small, regular folds or ridges; to style hair with a crimper; to hinder or restrict.
  • She decided to crimp her hair for a change.
  • The new regulations could crimp our plans.
• Crimping Iron (noun): Another term for the hair styling tool.
  • She bought a new crimping iron.

Synonyms

• For the tool: Curling iron, waver, hair waver.
• For the person: Shanghaier, press-gang agent, recruiter (specifically a deceitful one).

Related Phrases

• To be crimped: To have been tricked or forced into service.
  • Many sailors claimed they had been crimped.
• To put a crimp in something: To hinder or restrict something (derived from the verb 'crimp').
  • The bad weather put a crimp in our picnic plans.

Noun

1. a mechanical device consisting of a cylindrical tube around which the hair is wound to curl it
   • a woman with her head full of curlers is not a pretty sight
2. someone who tricks or coerces men into service as sailors or soldiers