# Are Merkins Still In Use? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 7, 2004, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-merkins-still-in-use/258763 "2004-08-07T13:06:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2004, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-merkins-still-in-use/258763/1 "2004-08-07T13:06:27Z")
For those of you who don’t know, a merkin is a thong-like garment that is meant to cover a woman’s nether regions. It is covered in hair, and is meant to be worn to simulate the natural bush (the real hair having been shaved off). These were popular in the Middle Ages, when personal hygeine dictated a closely-shaven cooter. Are they in use today? Victoria’s Secret doesn’t seem to stock em…a polite salesgirl nearly doubled over in laughter when an inquiry (about merkins) was made to her! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2004, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-merkins-still-in-use/258763/2 "2004-08-07T13:25:06Z")
I recently spotted a couple of articles about merkin making being popular due to the rise in “Brazilians”. [This](http://www.salon.com/health/feature/1999/09/03/bikini/index1.html) was all I could find at the moment. I’ll try to hunt down the one I saw only days ago. It was very colourful. ---
**Author:** ![filmyak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@filmyak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmyak)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2004, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-merkins-still-in-use/258763/3 "2004-08-07T15:00:40Z")
They are occasionally used in films, when an actor needs to appear fully naked but wants a touch of privacy. Used for men and women, especially for shots from behind ( you see their ass, the crew doesn’t see the full monty), and obviously doesn’t require shaving beforehand. =) ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2004, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-merkins-still-in-use/258763/4 "2004-08-07T15:42:03Z")
**don’t ask:** _[This](http://www.salon.com/health/feature/1999/09/03/bikini/index1.html) was all I could find at the moment._ A jaw-dropper! > [@](#): > > One man in London is single-handedly trying to bring about a merkin revival. Rick (“Muff Daddy”) Stonell, owner of the Archive and Alwyn salon in London, offers a wide variety of custom-made merkins and a “full-service pubic salon.” (They also do regular hair for the straight-laced types.) Stonell started with chin wigs and from there, it was a natural progression … south. […] > > Stonell’s merkins come in three sizes: small, medium and “Oh my God, bring out the bush whacker!” Customers come in for repeated fittings. “We don’t mess around,” says Stonell. They can be cut and dyed into any shape. His favorites include corporate logos, bull’s eyes, stars and stripes, targets and love hearts. “We even had a lord come in and pick one out for his wife. We suggested the family crest.” […] > > The merkins are held in place by a transparent G-string or fastened onto pubic hair with adhesive glue. :eek: Ouch. ---
**Author:** ![istara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e79b87/32.png) [@istara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/istara)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2004, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-merkins-still-in-use/258763/5 "2004-08-08T17:29:46Z")
> [@](#): > > **Paula Yates, the widow of INXS rocker Michael Hutchence, flies over from London to have it done (salons in the U.K. refuse to do it for hygienic reasons).** This must be rubbish. They would certainly do the full front/sides/undercarriage at any salon that catered to Arab/Pakistani ladies. Of which the UK has a healthy sized resident population.