long hair
Definition
Noun (informal usage): - An intellectual or artistically inclined person: "long hair" refers to an individual, typically an intellectual, an artist, or a lover of classical music, especially in a derogatory or affectionate informal context. - Example: The concert was filled with long hairs who debated the nuances of Beethoven's symphonies. (People who are deeply interested in classical music or intellectual pursuits.)
Usage Examples
- (An intellectual or artistic person.)
- (People with refined artistic tastes.)
Advanced Usage
- "long hair" as a collective term: used to describe a group of intellectuals, artists, or classical music enthusiasts, often with a hint of condescension or admiration.
- The local coffee shop was a meeting place for long hairs from the university. (Academics and artists.)
Variants and Related Words
- Long-haired (adj): having long hair; also used informally to describe someone associated with intellectual or artistic circles.
- The long-haired professor gave a lecture on medieval poetry. (An academic with long hair, or metaphorically an intellectual.)
Synonyms
- Intellectual: a person who engages in critical thinking, research, and reflection about society and culture.
- Highbrow: a person of superior intellectual or cultural interests.
- Aesthete: a person who has a special appreciation for art and beauty.
Related Idioms
- "Long hair, short ideas": a derogatory phrase suggesting that someone with long hair lacks intellectual substance (rarely used in modern contexts).
- "Long hair and short memory": a playful expression implying that someone is forgetful or impractical, often used humorously about artists.
Notes on Usage
- This definition is informal and somewhat dated; in contemporary English, "long hair" most commonly refers literally to hair that is long, not to a type of person. The intellectual/artistic meaning is primarily found in older or colloquial contexts, especially in the mid-20th century.