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

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

Concealed behind the pasty mask, the trademark fright wig and the impassive expression Andy Warhol showed to the world was a man of roiling complexities.

From New York Times • Nov. 12, 2018

Mitch McConnell doing a creaky falsetto in a fright wig!

From Slate • Sep. 27, 2018

Pat Payaso’s last name means clown in Spanish, and he dresses like one, right down to the makeup, red nose, baggy pants and rainbow fright wig.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 27, 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