[mplsconservative]

I’ve got one. Why are very light blond haired children called tow heads?

Anyone have an answer because I certainly don’t know.

Love the thread, Jim. Many interesting ‘factuals’.

[Cicero]

I think that tow head refers to flax or hemp, light colored fibers used to make rope.

[mware]

“Don’t let the cat out of the bag.” is said to refer to the time of the tall ships, they kept the cat of nine tails in a bag and it was only taken out when someone on board was to be flogged.

[TexasBarak]

I’ve got one. Why are very light blond haired children called tow heads? Anyone have an answer because I certainly don’t know.

As it happens, I can provide this one! I figured it out while reading up on the making of bowstrings. It turns out that "tow" is a name for a grade of linen fibers. I'm sure it's a low grade, as we still call burlap bags "towsacks" around here.

[A. Morgan]

A “tow head” is a very blonde - close to white - haired child. The meaning of “tow” in this case is made of flax or hemp. It is said to have come from German origin - “touw” meaning flax (which is yellow) or hemp fiber prepared for spinning.