Sideburn

Sideburns are facial hair in front of the ears. They were originally called burnsides, probably after General Ambrose Burnside. His hairstyle, now commonly known as mutton-chops, connected thick sideburns via the moustache but left the chin clean-shaven.

Sideburns may end at mid-ear level; they may end at the earlobe; or they may extend downward and follow the jawline, nearly meeting at the chin. They can be slender or wide, clipped closely or allowed to grow bushy. They can end in points, or bluntly, and be either cut squarely or flared wide, following the hairline on the upper cheek. They can be worn alone, or in combination with a moustache or a goatee. However, when they extend from ear to ear via the chin, the sideburns are merely part of the beard, and thus are not known as such.

Indigenous men of Mexico, who shave their heads and wear their sideburns long, as well as Colombians, who wear their sideburns long and typically do not have any other facial hair, are said to be wearing balcarrotas.

Men known for their sideburns

• Chester A. Arthur
• Elvis Presley
• General Ambrose Burnside
• Martin Van Buren

See also

• Beard