muttonchops

[muht-n-chops]

plural noun

1. side whiskers that are narrow at the temples and broad and trimmed short at the jawline, the chin being shaved both in front and beneath.

muttonchops

/ ˈmʌtənˌtʃɒps /

plural noun

1. side whiskers trimmed in the shape of chops, widening out from the temples

Word History and Origins

Origin of muttonchops¹

1860–65; mutton ¹ + chop ¹ + -s ³; so called from their shape

Example Sentences

Asked to elaborate on his character’s gold tooth and muttonchops that made some fans apoplectic—No, they cried, Heathcliff must be hotter!—his patience seems tested.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“It’s a tradition going back over a century, to when children were invited to search for treats in Chester A. Arthur’s muttonchops.”

Read more on New York Times

Beckerman’s descriptions of the major players are memorable — Chartist leader Feargus O’Connor was “all Irish brogue and ginger muttonchops,” while Futurist ringleader Filippo Marinetti, with his handlebar mustache and bowler hat, resembled “a silent movie villain about to tie a woman to the railroad tracks.”

Read more on Washington Post

Others turn side to side, offering profile views: muttonchops, stripes.

Read more on The New Yorker

“You’s gonna have to say good-bye to the beard and them muttonchops and that’s one sure ’nough impressive moustache you got there, but it’s got to be tamed down some too.

Read more on Literature