mullet

¹

[ muhl-it ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) mul·let, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) mul·lets.

1. any of several marine or freshwater, usually gray fishes of the family Mugilidae, having a nearly cylindrical body.
2. a goatfish.
3. a sucker, especially of the genus Moxostoma.

mullet

²

[ muhl-it ]

noun

, Heraldry.

1. a starlike charge having five points unless a greater number is specified, used especially as the cadency mark of a third son.

mullet

³

[ muhl-it ]

noun

1. a hairstyle in which the hair is short in the front and at the sides of the head, and longer in the back.

mullet

¹

/ ˈmʌlɪt /

noun

1. See red mullet, grey mullet
   any of various teleost food fishes belonging to the families Mugilidae (grey mullet) or Mullidae (red mullet) See also grey mullet red mullet
2. See grey mullet
   the US name for grey mullet

mullet

²

/ ˈmʌlɪt /

noun

1. a hairstyle in which the hair is short at the top and long at the back

Word History and Origins

Origin of mullet¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English molet, mulet, melet, from Old French mulet “red mullet,” from Latin mullus “red mullet,” from Greek mýllos, a kind of unidentified fish ; -et

Origin of mullet²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English molet(te), from Old French molete “rowel of a spur,” equivalent to mole “millstone” ( French meule ) + -ette diminutive suffix; -ette

Origin of mullet³

First recorded in 1990–95; perhaps by shortening of mullethead “blockhead, fool”; popularized and probably coined by U.S. hip-hop group the Beastie Boys

Word History and Origins

Origin of mullet¹

C15: via Old French from Latin mullus, from Greek mullos

Origin of mullet²

C20: origin unknown

Example Sentences

Seth Rogen, who developed the project with producing partner Evan Goldberg and writer Robert Siegel, dons a mullet as Rand Gauthier, the down-and-out carpenter who steals the couple’s honeymoon video after Tommy pushes him too far.

From Time

In Texas, some of the fastest-growing search topics related to Cruz included Cancún, the Ritz-Carlton in Cancún, and mullets — a nod to the odd haircut Cruz sported during the impeachment trial.

From Washington Post

He knew the term meant “schools of mullet” and “holes of a fishing net,” but they would say it even when pointing at empty water.

From Popular-Science

Apparently, Uncle Jesse can, especially when he's trying to work his mullet mojo with Lori Loughlin.

From The Daily Beast

Perhaps you have a mullet and want to meet people who are into that kind of thing.

From The Daily Beast

On Travolta, a truly embarrassing business in the front/party in the back mullet, and on her fantastically big '80s hair.

From The Daily Beast

In one ironic scene, Harry encounters Dan, a language poet and a former rival, in the Mullet.

From The Daily Beast

Made with roe from mullet, carp, cod, lobsters, or even crab, taramasalata—salty, creamy, bright, with little pops!

From The Daily Beast

At night we hauled the seine, and procured about four dozen fish, principally mullet.

From Project Gutenberg

In the intense quiet the splash of leaping mullet sounded distinctly.

From Project Gutenberg

Frequently I would go out spearing and netting fish, my principal captures being mullet.

From Project Gutenberg

Elnathan Mullet, evidently considering his labors as door-keeper over, was counting his takings by lantern light.

From Project Gutenberg

Mullet finished his counting, took up his money box and lantern and left the gate unguarded.

From Project Gutenberg