longhair

[lawng-hair, long-]

noun

1. Sometimes Disparaging.,  an intellectual.

2. a person, often gifted, who is very interested in or devoted to the arts, especially a performer, composer, or lover of classical music.

3. a person having long hair, especially a hippie.

4. a cat having long fur.

adjective

1. having long hair.

   a longhair cat.

2. of or characteristic of longhairs or their tastes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of longhair¹

First recorded in 1915–20; long ¹ + hair

Example Sentences

Musicians heard, or heard from, include Professor Longhair, Allen Toussaint, the Neville Brothers and the Wild Tchoupitoulas in their beaded, feathered finery, along with many anonymous brass and percussion players.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Other 2024 festival highlights included Jon Batiste’s only-in-New-Orleans set that paid homage to the city’s piano legends, including Professor Longhair, Fats Domino and Allen Toussaint.

Read more on Seattle Times

“When I was going to school, I wanted to be Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, and I would wear a wig with two plaits and call myself Professor Longhair,” Henry told the AP.

Read more on Seattle Times

The message hit Arnita Dobbins so hard she joined the longhair’s campaign on behalf of an inmate more than 1,000 miles away.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This approach — developed from ragtime and Caribbean dance music; replicating the work of a full brass band in just two hands — would evolve through later legends like Professor Longhair, James Booker and Dr. John, and remains a calling card for Crescent City pianists today.

Read more on New York Times

Related Words

• erudite 
• intellectual 
• learned