While a vast number of idioms originate from historical periods, this is not true of all of them, and ‘having a bad hair day’ is one of these exceptions.
Originally meaning ‘a day when your hair seems unmanageable', the use of this expression has now extended to describe a day when everything seems to go wrong.
The idiom itself originated in the 1992 film ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’, when Buffy (Kristy Swanson) says to the one-armed vampire (played by Paul Reubens): “I’m fine but you’re obviously having a bad hair day!”
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FAQs
Originally meaning 'a day when your hair seems unmanageable', the use of this expression has now extended to describe a day when everything seems to go wrong.
What does "bad hair day" mean? ›
noun. informal. : a day when one's hair is unattractive and unmanageable. You think you've had a bad hair day?
Why is it bad hair day? ›
While some bad hair days seem to strike out of the blue, many of them are self-inflicted. If you brush wet hair, wash it too much, or use products that don't work with your hair, it's going to rebel and result in an episode or two of unruly hair. Using the wrong hair treatment can even cause lasting damage.
When was Bad Hair Day added to the dictionary? ›
OED's earliest evidence for bad hair day is from 1970, in State Journal (Lansing, Michigan). bad hair day is formed within English, by compounding. Etymons: bad adj., n. 2, & adv.
Is Bad Hair Day a real thing? ›
Your bad hair day could be written in your DNA. Genetic variations could be to blame for your wicked bed head, a new study found, as researchers discover more about the role genes play in hair patterns.
Where did the phrase bad hair day come from? ›
The idiom itself originated in the 1992 film 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer', when Buffy (Kristy Swanson) says to the one-armed vampire (played by Paul Reubens): “I'm fine but you're obviously having a bad hair day!”
Does everyone have bad hair days? ›
A poll of 2,000 Americans discovered that the average American will have three months worth of bad hair days every single year. That amounts to experiencing eight bad hair days a month or slightly over a week trying to tame their locks.
What does the cliche a bad hair day mean? ›
A day when one's appearance, especially one's hair, does not look attractive. For example, What have I done to upset Martha? Nothing, she's just having a bad hair day . Originating as a humorous statement, this term was soon broadened to mean simply having a bad day, that is, a day when everything seems to go wrong.
What is the slang for morning hair? ›
Bed Head: What your hair looks like when you roll out of bed first thing in the morning. Also a reference to a messy hair style .
What are the new words in the dictionary in 2024? ›
Dictionary.com on Tuesday announced that it had added more than 1,700 new or updated definitions — and with “girl dinner,” “Barbiecore,” “slow fashion,” “climate breakdown” and beyond, they reflect online trends, health and well-being, social issues, anxieties over climate change and the economy, and more.
But now this most recent song, and it's associated hashtag 'badhairdaysong' which has had 17.3 million views, isn't even by a big music artist, it's actually a kids song from New Zealand. Yep, that's right according to people on TikTok the song is called 'Bad Hair Day' and kids would sing it in school assemblies.
How do you survive a bad hair day? ›
Whether it's bed hair, second day hair, or a simply bad hair day - here are 6 simple and quick tips on how to fix it!
- Dry Shampoo. ...
- Braids, braids, braids. ...
- Tease your roots. ...
- Embrace the frizz. ...
- Wash half your hair. ...
- Rock that cute hat or headband. ...
- 2023 Festival Hairstyles. ...
- 5 Reasons To Embrace Your Gray Hair.
Is there a plant called Bad Hair Day? ›
x Mangave 'Bad Hair Day' PP30279 (Bad Hair Day Mangave) - A unique and attractive succulent plant with mostly solitary rosettes that grows to 10 inches tall by 30 inches wide with very narrow quarter inch wide by 18 inches long soft and rubbery recurving green leaves that have irregular, dark-burgundy spotting on much ...
How would you describe a bad hair day? ›
A day when one's appearance, especially one's hair, does not look attractive. For example, What have I done to upset Martha? Nothing, she's just having a bad hair day . Originating as a humorous statement, this term was soon broadened to mean simply having a bad day, that is, a day when everything seems to go wrong.
What can you do on a bad hair day? ›
12 Bad Hair Day Hacks and Styles to Remedy Any Mishaps
- Rock a Double Ponytail. ...
- Tease Your Roots. ...
- Twist Your Hair Into a Dutch Crown Braid. ...
- Try a Teased Bun. ...
- Opt for a Marley Braid Hair Bun. ...
- Embrace a Messy Bedhead Style. ...
- Wear a Sleek Ponytail. ...
- Whip Out the Heat Tools.
What does "a bad day" mean? ›
A bad day means things aren't going well for you on that particular day or maybe that week. Maybe you got demoted or fired. Maybe your dog died. Maybe the doctor gave you bad news.
What does hair day mean? ›
A good hair day is when your hair was easily managed to look really good, and you have a really good day as well. Sometimes people say that they are having a bad hair day which can mean that they are having a bad day all around. It usually doesn't happen that someone has a good hair day and a bad day at the same time.