fright wig

American  

noun

1. a wig of wild, unruly hair, especially hair projecting outward in all directions, as worn by some clowns and comedians to give a comic effect of extreme fright or excitement.

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fright wig British  

noun

1. 1. a wig with frizzy hair standing straight up from the surface

   2. a hairstyle resembling this

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Etymology

Origin of fright wig

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fright wig

Rylance put on a fright wig to play William Kunstler in “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and wore Mr. Ed-size choppers for his role as the eccentric zillionaire in “Don’t Look Up.”

From New York Times ● Mar. 17, 2022

Or fresh-cut strawberries covered in a thin layer of cream or even elotes loco, the popular street snack that puts a fright wig of condiments on a humble ear of corn.

From Washington Post ● Nov. 8, 2021

Mitch McConnell doing a creaky falsetto in a fright wig!

From Slate ● Sep. 27, 2018

Winfried is exasperating, always pulling someone’s leg, popping in a pair of screwy false teeth, plopping a black fright wig on his head.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 9, 2017

At 8:25 I rushed into Skinski's dressing room, put on a swift makeup, dove into Skinski's fright wig, hid my face behind a false moustache and goatee, and prepared to sell my life dearly.

From You Can Search Me by McHugh, Hugh