What exactly is a 'cowlick'?

[YoungAndThin]

I've read about many people in this forum saying how they have a cowlick at the back of their head but I've never understood what this is.

Can somebody explain to me, or better yet post a picture of what a cowlick is?

 

[iamnaked]

Come closer and I'll show you.

 

[Bll3r]

lol

 

[Guest]

hahahahahaha!!!!! :lol:
Am not sure I will put it into my regimen right yet!!Maybe next year when am Norwood 5

 

[oDD_LotS]

Here's a bit of info:

"A cowlick is a noticeably long strand of unruly hair that doesn't comb down propely. It is usually combed over to avoid showing baldness. Alfalfa of Our Gang (later The Little Rascals), Martin Short's Ed Grimley character, and Jim Carrey's Ace Ventura character may have the most famous pop-culture cowlicks known."

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowlick

And from Princeton.edu's Wordnet: a tuft of hair that grows in a different direction from the rest of the hair and usually will not lie flat


Also, in addition to the definitions above, which mostly discuss a crown swirl, it can refer to a patch of hair anywhere on the head (even in the hairline) that grows in an odd direction. The appearance is almost like someone who's had their head licked by a cow, hence the name cowlick.

Hope this helps.