# What is a merkin... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [March 12, 2002, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-merkin/97852 "2002-03-12T15:16:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![obnoxa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7bcc69/32.png) [@obnoxa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obnoxa)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2002, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-merkin/97852/1 "2002-03-12T15:16:03Z")
While perusing through here for my first time I stumbled (no idea how!) upon a very old posting asking what is a merkin, well here goes: The ancient Turks customarily removed all thier body hair, when the Romans attacked with the usual pillage & plundering, the soldiers dicovered they liked how the Turkish women were free from body hair. Upon returning home they pushed this idea on their own women. The Romans were very big on public baths so as some of the women did start to remove their pubic hair, they would keep it to make a ‘wig’ of sorts that they would be able to wear to the bath houses. So the creation of the merkin was in fact for social purposes that befit the time. Although I wasn’t actually there, to the best of my knowledge, that is the history of the merkin. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![zut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zut/32/2875_2.png) [@zut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zut)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2002, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-merkin/97852/2 "2002-03-12T16:29:27Z")
The column being discussed is: [What is a merkin? (21 May 1993)](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_232.html) Just a public service announcement from yours truly. ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2002, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-merkin/97852/3 "2002-03-12T20:05:06Z")
Cecil will occasionally issue updated columns when people post new information. However, I suspect that > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by obnoxa \* > \*\*Although I wasn’t actually there, to the best of my knowledge, that is the history of the merkin. > 🙂 \*\* is probably a little too vague for Unca Cece’s rigorous standards for documentation. A few cites would be helpful. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2002, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-merkin/97852/4 "2002-03-12T21:20:07Z")
Something’s a merkin if it’s not furr’n. ---
**Author:** ![Payne\_N.Diaz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Payne\_N.Diaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Payne_N.Diaz)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2002, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-merkin/97852/5 "2002-03-12T23:02:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bup \* > \*\*Something’s a merkin if it’s not furr’n. \*\* ROFL–I was going to say that I was a merkin, having been born in California, but **bup** said it better! ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-merkin/97852/6 "2002-03-21T09:27:00Z")
The column can also be found on pages 232-235 of Cecil Adams’ book «[_Return of the Straight Dope (1994)_](https://securesite.chireader.com/cgi-bin/dopestore/buystuff.bat#rotsd)». ---
**Author:** ![thebear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ac91a4/32.png) [@thebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thebear)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2002, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-merkin/97852/7 "2002-10-01T03:28:54Z")
Although I’ve greatly enjoyed this colorful and informative repartee, one question goes unasked (or unanswered) – By what means is a merkin secured to one’s anatomy? Mind you, this question is only for purposes of scholary inquiry, nothing purient whatsoever and no practical implications. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2002, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-merkin/97852/8 "2002-10-01T17:07:07Z")
A merkin is worn like a g-string. If one is adequately shaved, I suppose spirit gum is also a possibility. ---
**Author:** ![cdhostage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@cdhostage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cdhostage)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2002, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-merkin/97852/9 "2002-10-02T18:04:35Z")
AAAAA! Granny merkins!