Baths and Wigs

As incredible as it sounds, men and women took baths only twice a year!(May and October) Women kept their hair covered, while men shaved theirheads (because of lice and bugs) and wore wigs. Wealthy men could affordgood wigs made from wool. The wigs couldn't be washed, so to clean themthey could carve out a loaf of bread, put the wig in the shell, and bake it for 30 minutes. The heat would make the wig big and fluffy, hence theterm "big wig." Today we often use the term "here comes the Big Wig" because someone appears to be or is powerful and wealthy.