Buzz cut

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Note: Coach Buzzcut is also the name of the gym coach in Beavis and Butt-head. Despite his name, however, he does not wear a buzz cut, per se, but a crew cut.

A buzz cut (wiffle and crew cut are more or less synonymous terms) is the American name for a type of haircut named after the sound of the electric clippers which are used to shear the hair very closely to the scalp. It is one of the most rapid haircuts possible, and can take little more than a minute to cut when done with good quality clippers. A buzz cut also makes the face look more defined and the jaw wider.

Recruits in the armed forces in some countries are given buzz cuts upon entering training.

The buzz cut is popular among men and women who want a short, low-maintenance hairstyle. It has gained popularity in hip hop culture for the 1990s and 21st century. The hair is often covered by a bandana, do-rag or a baseball cap. This style is contrary to the style in previous decades, when it was more popular to grow and style one's hair. It is also worn by men to hide thinning hair. While fewer women than men have their hair clippered off, buzz cuts are often more striking when worn by women. Several famous American women, such as Demi Moore and Natalie Portman, have had their long hair clippered off for movies and/or attention.

In Seattle during the 1990s, the haircut was made popular by Seattle Mariners player Jay Buhner. The haircut was known as the "Buhner buzz cut." Fans could get a buzz cut and receive free tickets to a game.

In the United Kingdom, the haircut is referred to as a skinhead (even though the Skinhead hairstyle itself was originally called a skiffle). In the Philippines it's called a "semi".

This style is also worn by Buddhist monks and nuns, including the Dalai Lama.

[edit] Length

Buzz cuts come in seven grades: #0 or bareblade (shortest), #1 (3mm), #2 (6mm), #3 (9mm), #4 (12mm), #5 (15mm) and #6 (18mm). These numbers correspond to eighths of an inch. Once hair has been buzzed down to a bare minimum, one can then apply shaving cream and "nib" it down. This removes all hair (see head shaving). This completely hairless style is sometimes referred to as "bicked," probably after BIC brand razors.