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

Possessed by “the Devil’s music,” as he called it, he writhed and howled, raked the keyboard with his right foot and tossed his wavy blond hair until it looked like a fright wig.

From New York Times

Competition was similarly muted for Andy Warhol’s rare large-scale 1986 “Fright Wig” self-portrait, which sold to a single bid from its guarantor, as has increasingly become the case with high-value lots.

From New York Times

His face was covered by a rubber Nixon mask, and he was wearing a garish, oversized tuxedo and a curly fright wig.

From New York Times

They all laugh when I go out In this comical fright wig.

From Washington Post

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