Devoted to technical writing and technical writers

sourced by JMJF. Image c/o Wikipedia

These days, when one is said to have a WIDOW’S PEAK, it refers to one whose hair grows with a point somewhere in the middle of his / her forehead. The origin of this descriptive expression is found once again in the Middle Ages.

In some countries, it was either the custom or a function of the law for people of different stations or occupations to dress in a certain manner. Widows, for example, had to wear clothes that identified them as such. A distinctive feature of their clothing was the use of a pointed hood, or peak. This clearly identified the wearer as a widow. Pretty soon, even the way hair grew in a similar manner, with a peak in the middle of the forehead, took on that same description.