A Conversation for The h2g2 Dave Gorman Appreciation Club, Society, Fannish Thing
sideburns
Geggs Posted Dec 20, 2002
Indeed you can. 
Did you know, btw, the sideburns were named after a Colonel in the American Civil War? Colonel Burnside wore long whiskers on the side of his face, and the fashion caught on among his men. Except that they swapped the Colonel's name around from Burnside to Sideburn.
I know that its a strange fact to remember, but I remembered it nontheless.
Geggs
sideburns
ParrotSketch Posted Dec 20, 2002
WOW! astonishing fact.
I must try and slip that into a conversation at some point this afternoon at work.
sideburns
Geggs Posted Dec 20, 2002
Which is not to say that Burnside was the first person to wear whiskers long on his face, because he almost certainly wasn't. But it is his name (or rather a corruption thereof) that has become attached to that form of facial furniture.
Similiarly the Duke of Wellington was not the first person to wear knee-length boots. But they caught on amongst the general populance after him started wearing them.
Geggs
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sideburns
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