mullet

This is a haircut with short hair on the top and sides but much longer hair in the back. It is strongly linked with the 1980s, rock stars, country culture, and a loud, playful sense of style. People often mention it jokingly, and it can suggest that someone looks bold, old-fashioned, or proudly unfashionable.

The word can also refer to a kind of fish, so the meaning depends on the context. In modern English, when people use it about hair, they often mean more than the cut itself. They may also be talking about the attitude around it: relaxed, rebellious, funny, or a little rough around the edges.

The mullet is a hairstyle characterized by hair that is cut short on the front and sides but left significantly longer at the back. It is a look that has cycled through periods of immense popularity—particularly in the 1980s—and widespread derision, often becoming a symbol of outdated fashion or rural subcultures. However, in recent years, it has experienced an unexpected resurgence, embraced by fashion-forward circles seeking a deliberately unconventional or ironic style.

Historically, similar hairstyles have appeared in different times and places, but in modern English the strongest association is with the 1980s and early 1990s. The look became linked with rock musicians, country singers, athletes, and other public figures who made it easy to recognize. In some settings, especially sports, it is also known as "hockey hair."

Today, the mullet represents more than just a grooming choice. It has become a cultural phenomenon representing a rejection of mainstream grooming standards and an embrace of individuality. There are even "mullet competitions" held annually around the world! You might hear someone say they "pulled off" a mullet, meaning they wore the difficult style with confidence. Others might describe an object or event as having "mullet energy"—meaning it is professionally presented at first glance but reveals a wild, surprising side upon closer inspection. Whether you love it or hate it, the mullet is an enduring piece of pop culture history.