Most people know that teasing the hair was at one time referred to as ratting the hair,but what is the story behind that? The whole of the matter goes back to Louis XV and his mistress Madame de Pompadour. Until this time there were no hairdressers,only wig makers. The French Court would throw elaborate theme parties and women started hiring artists to create hairstyles (more like sculptures) depicting the theme of the parties. The hair was placed over a frame then stuffed with cotton,wool or straw and then cemented in place with a paste. The pastes used were made of beef lard or bear grease. Because of the expense the hairdos were kept in place for a week or two,giving the paste time to become rancid and attract vermin while the women slept,giving birth to the term "rats nest" as related to hair.
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