Buzz
Although the term 'towhead' isn't used much for blonde toddlers today, you’ll still encounter it in older literature, particularly in works from the 1800s.
As explained by Grammarphobia, the 'tow' in 'towhead' is not the same as the 'tow' in 'tow truck' or 'undertow'. The latter comes from the Old English word 'togian,' meaning 'to drag.' However, the 'tow' in 'towhead' refers to the fiber of flax, hemp, or jute used for spinning, a term in use since the 14th century, possibly influenced by Old Norse 'tó,' meaning 'uncleansed wool or flax.'
These fibers were light in color, often tan or golden, so the word 'towhead' was adopted to describe children with similarly colored hair. This connection to flax explains why blonde hair is sometimes referred to as 'flaxen.' The term 'towhead' made its first appearance around 1830 and remained popular throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. Sylvester Judd, in his 1850 novel 'Richard Edney and the Governor’s Family,' references the 'tow-headed Wild Olive boys,' and an article from the September 1884 issue of 'Harper’s Magazine' describes 'tow-headed children' playing in orchards.
The term 'towhead' may be more often used to describe children rather than adults because there are simply more naturally blonde kids than adults. As we grow older, our hair darkens. It's also possible that the phrase refers not just to blonde hair, but to hair that is 'unkempt or tousled,' as the OED defines it. This idea of untidy hair might have emerged after 'towhead' became associated with kids, who tend to have messier hair compared to adults.
These days, 'towhead' is so rare that if you use it casually, someone might mistakenly think you said 'toe-head.' While 'toe-head' isn't a real phrase, it does have an insulting ring to it, so it's lucky you're now ready to explain the true meaning and origin of 'towhead' if the need arises.
