# Pig tails? Or pony tails? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 18, 2000, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pig-tails-or-pony-tails/33554 "2000-09-18T01:52:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ruffian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71e660/32.png) [@Ruffian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruffian)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2000, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pig-tails-or-pony-tails/33554/1 "2000-09-18T01:52:33Z")
As a little girl in Indiana, my mother would often put my hair in what she called pony tails: that is, unbraided, loose, rubberbanded only at the base. I know, I know, we all know what pony tails are…right? Well, apparently not. My understanding is a pony tail is a pony tail is a pony tail–whether you have one, two, or five, if it’s clipped/tied at the base and the hair hangs loose like, oh, a pony’s tail, it’s a pony tail. _Pig_ tails, on the other hand, were braids. One braid or ten, a braid was also called a pig tail because both are a bit curled, squiggly, and so forth. **BUT** …I seem to be the only person I know in this Southern CA area that has understood these haristyles to be so named. Out here, several people have corrected me that a ponytail is just one of what I also know as a ponytail, but _pig_ tails are two loose “ponytails” as I call them on either side of the head. Braids are just…braids. This makes no sense to me. I know I’m arguing the etymology of hairstyles, but seriously…how do two floppy, horse-tail-like things on either side of a girls’ head (or, not to exclude anyone, guy’s head) resemble a pig’s tail? Do pigs have two fluffy tails and I’ve just failed to notice it up to this point? ---
**Author:** ![Montfort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2000, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pig-tails-or-pony-tails/33554/2 "2000-09-18T02:01:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ruffian \* > **BUT…I seem to be the only person I know in this Southern CA area that has understood these haristyles to be so named. Out here, several people have corrected me that a ponytail is just one of what I also know as a ponytail, but _pig_ tails are two loose “ponytails” as I call them on either side of the head. Braids are just…braids.** Yup, that’s what I call them too. Cindy Brady had pigtails. I now have a ponytail, and when I’m going to bed, I’ll sometimes braid it. For the record, I’m an east coaster. ---
**Author:** ![Montfort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2000, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pig-tails-or-pony-tails/33554/3 "2000-09-18T02:03:10Z")
And, oh, this sounds like one of those midwestern things. While we’re at it, it’s soda, not pop. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![dragonlady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@dragonlady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragonlady)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2000, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pig-tails-or-pony-tails/33554/4 "2000-09-18T02:33:02Z")
SF Bay Area, me and my Mom. Pony tails = losse hair Pig Tails = braids ---
**Author:** ![dragonlady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@dragonlady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragonlady)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2000, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pig-tails-or-pony-tails/33554/5 "2000-09-18T02:34:04Z")
We also don’t preview- losse = loose!! ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2000, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pig-tails-or-pony-tails/33554/6 "2000-09-18T02:37:02Z")
Northeren Indiana here: Pony Tail: One loose grouping in back Pig Tails: Two on either side Braids: braids _French_ Braid: Single, long braid starting at top of head and continuing down the back. ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2000, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pig-tails-or-pony-tails/33554/7 "2000-09-18T02:54:10Z")
formerly from New York (near Canada, not **the City** ) - Pony Tail - loose hair, band at base, single at back of the head. 2 Pony Tails - loose hair, band at base, one on each side. Pigtail - braided hair, band at end, single at back of head. Braids - braided hair, band at end, one on each side. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2000, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pig-tails-or-pony-tails/33554/8 "2000-09-18T02:58:46Z")
The dictionary seems to avoid the question of multiplicity entirely, and does say a pigtail is braided: ponytail - A hair style in which the hair is clasped in the back so as to hang down like a pony’s tail. pigtail - a plait of braided hair that hangs down the back. Hmmmmm. That begs the question of what hair arrangements sticking out from the side of the head are. To me, the age of the wearer is a factor. Pigtails are worn by little girls, suggest gingham dresses, and can include those unbraided things with the hair cut too short to form a pony tail. Ponytails may be present on women and longhaired men of all ages. Adult women are simply wearing braids, although paired braids seem to exist only on women participating in Oktoberfest or similar activities. Pigtails existed historically on men if they happened to be 18th century sailors or Chinese in traditional garb. And I would not suggest to either Obelix or Willie Nelson that he was wearing “pigtails”. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2000, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pig-tails-or-pony-tails/33554/9 "2000-09-18T07:21:48Z")
Where I grew up (Cleveland), a ponytail was one of whatever in back, and pigtails were two whatevers on the sides. I’ll admit, though, that your definitions make more sense. ---
**Author:** ![nadin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/46a35a/32.png) [@nadin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nadin)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2000, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pig-tails-or-pony-tails/33554/10 "2000-09-18T09:04:54Z")
England here Pony tail - one loose at the back Pig Tail - two braided, one at either side Plait - one braided at the back Bunches - two pony tail, one at either side ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2000, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pig-tails-or-pony-tails/33554/11 "2000-09-18T09:52:22Z")
Pony tail- 1 long one at the back Pig tail- 1 loose one at the back Braids-simply braids cornrows- braids tight on the head, all over and this may be a new one for you Dog Ears- 2 loose ones, over the ears-hung down and sort of curled around the ears. Raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee ---
**Author:** ![Lucretia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@Lucretia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucretia)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2000, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pig-tails-or-pony-tails/33554/12 "2000-09-18T11:45:42Z")
Connecticut checking in: Ponytail = 1 loose at back. Pigtails = 1 loose at each side. Braids = Braids, in whatever configuration. Sometimes differentiated to French braids, or corn row braids, but they can all pretty much be refferred to as braids. ---
**Author:** ![mrblue92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@mrblue92](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrblue92)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2000, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pig-tails-or-pony-tails/33554/13 "2000-09-18T12:49:45Z")
Doesn’t it depend on what the girl looks like? ::ducking and running:: ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2000, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pig-tails-or-pony-tails/33554/14 "2000-09-18T20:51:47Z")
I used to delight in asking my younger sister “Do you know what one usually finds under a pony’s tail?”. Big Brother Rule #1 - Never pass up an opportunity to call your sister a horse’s ass! ---
**Author:** ![Broken\_Doll](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbce88/32.png) [@Broken\_Doll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broken_Doll)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pig-tails-or-pony-tails/33554/15 "2000-09-19T00:05:07Z")
Australia: Ponytails: Loose hair in a well, ponytail. Plait: Criss-crossed hair [braiding] And that’s about it. ---
**Author:** ![Groundskeeper\_Willie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Groundskeeper\_Willie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Groundskeeper_Willie)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pig-tails-or-pony-tails/33554/16 "2000-09-19T02:01:19Z")
Toronto, Canada: Pigtails: Two braided at the side Pony Tail: One loose at the back Q: What do you call the kind that stick straight up from the top of the head? Loose, usually not very long. My ex-roomie had one, and I never got around to asking her what it was called. Bill ---
**Author:** ![Catfood\_Purrito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Catfood\_Purrito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catfood_Purrito)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pig-tails-or-pony-tails/33554/17 "2000-09-19T02:30:54Z")
I grew up in northern Iowa: Pigtails: one on each side, can refer to braided OR loose Ponytails: one, loose at the back of the head ---
**Author:** ![Sycorax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@Sycorax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sycorax)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pig-tails-or-pony-tails/33554/18 "2000-09-19T02:55:14Z")
Washington, D. C. here – loose: ponytail (regardless of how many); braided: pigtail (regardless of how many). ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pig-tails-or-pony-tails/33554/19 "2000-09-19T03:19:19Z")
Montana: One loose bunch at the back of the head – you’re wearing a ponytail. Two loose bunches, one on either side of the head – you’re wearing pigtails. One braid at the back of the head – you’re wearing a braid. Two braids, one on either side of the head – you’re the Swiss Miss girl. Words that do not exist in the context of hairstyles: “bunches” and “plaits.”