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A 2000s youth wearing a 1950s-style 'Teddy Boy' quiff

The quiff is a hairstyle that combines the 1950s pompadour hairstyle, the 50s flattop, and sometimes a mohawk. The etymology of the word is uncertain but may derive from the French word "coiffe" which can mean either a hairstyle or, going further back, the mail knights wore over their heads and under their helmets. The hairstyle was a staple in the British 'Teddy Boy' movement, but became popular again in Europe in the early 1980s with early psychobilly acts including The Meteors, Demented Are Go, and others. For a while, DJ and TV presenter Mark Lamarr was a famous proponent of the quiff.

The hairstyle, although prominent in the 80s, faded into obscurity except among ardent 80s culture fans. The quiff saw a revival in the late 90s, due to the advent of the French crop, a modern version of the quiff, and continues through today.

In the 2000s pulling the fringe back into a quiff with a ponytail was a popular female hairstyle.

The Japanese Punch perm, a favorite among Yakuza and Bōsōzoku (biker gang) members, bears a strong similarity to this hairstyle.

[edit] Notable quiffs

• Jimi The Quiff, one of the dancers of the famous "The Twilight Players"
• Elvis Presley, music icon
• Morrissey, British singer formerly of The Smiths, well-known for his trademark quiff
• James Dean, iconic film star
• Ricky, Character from Canadian television show Trailer Park Boys
• Mark Kermode, film critic famed for his '50s style quiff
• Brian Setzer of the group Stray Cats
• Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon of The Clash
• Tintin, classic comic book character — in fact, the character was given this name in Dutch, "Kuifje"
• Ken Barlow, fictional character on the British soap opera Coronation Street, played by William Roache
• Davey Havok, singer of rock band A.F.I.
• Martin Fry of ABC, famous for his unique quiff
• Mikey Way, bassist of My Chemical Romance
• Rob Schneider from Saturday Night Live
• Dom Joly, comedian
• Itamar Franco, former Brazilian president
• Aaron Barrett, the lead singer of Ska band Reel Big Fish
• Robert Pattinson, actor and star of the Twilight films
• Nick Grimshaw, television and radio presenter

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