View source for Buzz cut

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{{For|the song|Buzzcut (song)}}
{{Short description|Variety of very short hairstyle}}
[[File:SDCC 2015 - James McAvoy (19573358149) (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Actor [[James McAvoy]] with a buzz cut]]
A '''buzz cut''', or '''wiffle cut''', is a variety of short hairstyles, especially where the length of hair is the same on all parts of the head. Rising to prominence initially with the advent of [[Hair clipper|manual hair clippers]], buzz cuts became increasingly popular in places where strict grooming conventions applied. In several nations, buzz cuts are often given to new recruits in the armed forces or newly incarcerated inmates. However, buzz cuts are also used for stylistic reasons.

==Overview==
The buzz cut rose to popularity with the advent of [[Hair clipper|manual hair clippers]] by the Serbian inventor [[Nikola Bizumić]] in the late 19th century.<ref>{{cite book |author=Scali-Sheahan, Maura |author2=Roste, Leslie |author3=Linquest, Linnea |author4=Burness, Amy |author5=Mitchell, Dennis |year=2017 |title=Milady Standard Barbering |edition=6th |location=New York |publisher=[[Cengage Learning]] |page=20 |isbn=978-1-305-10055-8}}</ref> These clippers were widely used by barbers to chop hair close and fast. The clipper accumulates hair in locks to rapidly remove the hair from the head. This type of haircut was normal where strict grooming conventions were in effect. Buzz cut styles today include the [[brush cut]], [[crew cut]], and [[flattop]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Goodman|first=James|date=2020-08-01|title=50 Best Buzz Cut Styles For Men|url=https://www.menshairstylestoday.com/buzz-cut/|work=MHT|access-date=2020-12-13}}</ref>

The top of a buzz cut style may be clipped a uniform short length, producing a butch cut, or into one of several geometric shapes that include the crew cut, flattop, and other short styles. Also known as a fade haircut, the back and sides are tapered [[Regular haircut#Short|short]], [[Regular haircut#Semi-short|semi-short]], or [[Regular haircut#Medium|medium]], corresponding with different clipper guard sizes.<ref>{{cite news|last=Chris|first=Wright|date=2020-08-01|title=Men's Fade Haircuts|url=https://www.menshairstylesnow.com/mens-fade-haircuts/|work=MHN|access-date=2020-12-13}}</ref><ref name=Eoh>{{citation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9Z6vCGbf66YC&pg=PA75 |title=Encyclopedia of hair |author=Victoria Sherrow |isbn=9780313331459 |year=2006|publisher=Greenwood Publishing }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Art and Science of Barbering |author=L.Sherman Trusty |publisher=Wolfer Printing Co |year=1971}}</ref> Buzz cuts can make the face look more defined and are popular with men and boys who want a short, low-maintenance hairstyle, as well as those with [[Hair loss|thinning or receding hairlines]]. However, thanks to the popularization by public figures like [[Sinead O'Connor]], [[Natalie Portman]], [[Amber Rose]], and [[Willow Smith]], the buzz cut has also become a popular haircut amongst women. It has also become a symbol of protest - going against society's standards of feminine beauty.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dolan |first=Leah |date=2023-07-28 |title=The last beauty taboo: A history of the buzzcut |url=https://www.cnn.com/style/sinead-oconnor-buzzcut-history/index.html |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Male buzzcut.jpg|thumb|right|A [[United States Naval Academy|Naval Academy]] midshipman with a buzz cut]]
In countries such as Australia, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, military recruits are given buzz cuts when they enter training; this was originally done to prevent the spread of [[head lice]],<ref name=NYT>{{citation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/19/style/view-crew-cuts-forever.html?pagewanted=1 |work=[[The New York Times]] |title=Crew Cuts Forever |author=Stephan Talty | date=April 19, 1998}}</ref> but is now done for ease of maintenance, cooling, and uniformity.<ref>https://hair-and-makeup-artist.com/mens-military-haircuts/</ref><ref>{{citation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s6WHuw7_L3UC&pg=PA94 |title=The Real Insider's Guide to Military Basic Training |author=Peter Thompson |publisher=Universal-Publishers |isbn=9781581125979 |date=February 2003}}</ref><ref>{{citation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KkoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA89 |title=The Men 300,000 New Sailors Will Make Navy Their Career ''Life'' Oct. 28 1940. Includes photos of WWII Era Navy Induction Crew Cut, Great Lakes Training Center.|date=28 October 1940}}</ref>

==See also==
{{div col}}
*[[List of hairstyles]]
*[[Brush cut]]
*[[Crew cut]]
*[[Hair removal]]
*{{slink|Hair|Social role}}
*[[Head shaving]]
*[[High and tight]]
*[[Mohawk hairstyle]]
*[[Shape-Up]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Wiktionary-inline}}

{{Human hair}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Buzz Cut}}
[[Category:Hairstyles]]
[[Category:21st-century fashion]]