Is wig really a scary word...?

A few days ago, I read a sentence from someone who said "wig" was a really scary word, and instead that she opted to refer to it as 'alternative hair'. Having never really thought about it before, this sentence really struck a cord with me and got me thinking about how I feel about the word "wig".

Wig is not a word that has ever really bothered me; it is what it is and my wigs are just that - wigs. When I first needed one, it's what I looked for online when I searched "buy wigs" and "wig specialist", it was what I refer to when I blog, talk or sell; in fact, it's what everyone else I know refers to them as too. Sometimes, I will use the phrase alternative hair, and indeed some of the wig brands I wear also refer to them as such, but I've never really thought twice about "wig" before.

Now that I have been triggered to think about it, the first thing I did was Google what the word 'wig' means; according to good old Google, it is defined as: "A covering for the head made of real or artificial hair, typically worn by judges and barristers in law courts or by people trying to conceal their baldness". Not what I was expecting at all - for it to be defined by its' use and not what it is. For me personally, I would define a wig as 'an alternative to natural hair, made of knotted human hair or synthetic fibres', potentially adding 'used to create the appearance of natural hair'. The use in the given definition of the word 'conceal' doesn't sit well with me, given the use of wigs and weaves to create more manageable hair, their part in disguises and fancy dress, and of course, their use by judges and barristers, but I understand the sentiment.

That definition aside however, I personally still don't get a negative feeling about the word 'wig', although I appreciate why others might. Having only lost my hair a few years ago, I have had the perks of the latest wig technology and the ones available now, whether synthetic or human hair, are exemplary giving natural hair a run for their money and providing every user with a comfortable, natural experience. In fact, whatever your wig-based preferences, there is an available and viable option for each individual need, if you want it. Roll back a decade or two however and natural-looking wigs were the privilege of the rich and famous like good old Dolly Parton. For everyone else, itchy, scratchy and thick wigs that looked stiff and were not far from the hairstyle of a lego person were far more the norm, and they didn't come cheap either. I guess for many therefore, those whose hair loss has been around far longer than mine, wig may be a more negative word, but then again, maybe not.

Looking at it a different way, if you don't call it 'wig', what else do you call it? Returning to Google and typing in 'wig synonym', it suggests Postiche, Toupee, Rug, Hair Extension, False Hair and Weave, but no viable alternative which encompasses the whole collective. Yes, alternative hair does encompass them all, but it doesn't exactly trip off the tongue. Hmmm! I'm still not convinced on the negativity of the word, but that is of course entirely my personal opinion. I guess for me, I'm not sure where the negative connotations come from, but I don't deny they exist for some people. For me, any potential negativity comes not from the word, but from certain realities, like my own terrible first wig, but the word will never put me off my love of them!

How about you guys? How do you feel about the word? Or about wigs for that matter? Don't forget to let us know!

Victoria x

www.prettybald.co.uk Twitter: @PrettyBald