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Greasers are a working class youth subculture that originated in the 1950s among young eastern and Southern United States street gangs, and then became popular among other types of people. In the 1950s and early 1960s, these youths were known as hoods.^[1]

Their name came from their greased back hair, which involved combing back hair with wax, gel, creams, tonics or pomade. Other popular greases used were olive oil or petroleum jelly. Some greasers worked at gas stations or shops that repaired cars or motorcycles. The greaser style was imitated by many youths not associated with gangs, as an expression of rebellion. The term greaser reappeared in later decades as part of a revival of 1950s popular culture. One of the first manifestations of this revival was a 1971 American 7 Up television commercial that featured a 1950s greaser saying "Hey remember me? I'm the teen angel." The act Sha Na Na also played a major role.

Although the greaser subculture was largely an American youth phenomenon, there were very similar subcultures in the United Kingdom. The 1950s British equivalent to the greaser were the Teddy Boys and Ton-up boys. The 1960's equivalent was the rocker, which evolved from the 1950's Ton Up Boys. In the United Kingdom, the term greaser only came into use in the 1970s, when Hells Angels and hippie bikers became prevalent. Members of rival subcultures in the UK, such as skinheads, sometimes referred to greasers simply as grease. Unlike rockers, American greasers were known more for their love of hot rod cars, not necessarily motorcycles, although both subcultures are known to be fans of classic motorcycles such as Triumph, as well as being fans of 1950s rockabilly music.

Contents 1 Fashion 2 Portrayals in popular culture 3 See also 4 References

[edit] Fashion

Clothing items typically worn by greasers have included: Sir Guy shirts, white or black T-shirts (often with the sleeves rolled up); white A-shirts (as outerwear); ringer T-shirts, Italian knit shirts; Daddy-O-style shirts; black, blue or khaki work jackets, black or brown trenchcoats, Levi denim jackets; leather jackets; gray or black waist-length Cabretta leather jackets; quilted work jackets; blue or black Levi's 501 or 505 jeans (with rolled-up cuffs anywhere from one to four inches); and baggy cotton twill work trousers (which were called baggie grays, baggie blues or sandbags).

Greasers also typically wore motorcycle boots, such as harness boots and engineer boots; army boots; tapered toe Italian shoes; brothel creeper shoes; cowboy boots; Converse's Chuck Taylor All-Stars basketball shoes; bandannas; stingy-brim hats, flat caps and chain wallets. Some greasers carried an Italian stiletto switchblade as a weapon. Common hairstyles included the pompadour, the Duck's Ass and the more combed-back Folsom style. These hairstyles were held in place with generous amounts of hair wax (pomade). Popular brands included Royal Crown, Dax, Black & White and Murray's. Tattoos became more popular towards the late 1950s (1957 and later).

[edit] Portrayals in popular culture

Films and TV shows featuring greasers include: The Wild One (1953), Rebel Without a Cause (1955), American Graffiti (1973), Happy Days (1974-1984), The Lords of Flatbush (1974), Grease (1978), The Wanderers (1979), Eddie and the Cruisers (1983), The Outsiders (1983), Streets of Fire (1984), La Bamba (1987), Last Exit to Brooklyn (1989), Cry-Baby (1990), and Roadracers (1994).

[edit] See also

• Bodgies and Widgies
• Bosozoku
• Halbstarke
• Motorcycle club
• Nozem
• Raggare

[edit] References