Also known as a duck's tail, drake's tail, duck's ass, or simply D.A., it is a distinctive men's haircut and style (and iconic cultural phenomenon) that gained seemingly immense popularity in the 1950s. This style is characterized by hair that is slicked back and pomaded, with a central parting that creates a shape resembling, well, the backside of a duck.
The ducktail has been recorded as having been invented by Joe Cirello, a barber from Philadelphia, in 1940. He developed the style, which he called "The Swing," while practicing on a blind boy for about eighteen months. The ducktail became emblematic of rebellious youth culture during the 1950s, particularly among groups such as teddy boys and rockers in Britain. It was also popularized by rock 'n roll icons like Elvis Presley, further cementing its association with nonconformity and youthful rebellion.
To achieve the ducktail look, hair is typically combed back around the sides of the head, with a central part running from the crown to the nape of the neck. The front hair is often styled either messily or curled down into an "elephant's trunk" shape. The sides are designed to resemble the folded wings of a duck. Variants of this hairstyle include the Detroit ducktail, featuring longer back and sides combined with a flat top, and the California style, involving longer top hair styled into a wavy pompadour known as a "breaker." The hairstyle requires significant use of pomade to maintain its shape. Regular touch-ups throughout the day are common to keep the style intact, resulting in a signature combing motion.
The ducktail quickly became associated with various subcultures, including greasers and rebels. Its adoption by Hollywood helped to symbolize youthful defiance during the era, although it was worn by only a minority of young men compared to its portrayal in media. The style also found popularity beyond Western cultures, influencing fashion in countries like India and among men of Mediterranean and Eastern European descent, and maintains popularity in the rockabilly subculture, too.
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