Why the desire to use the word "curls" in reference to kinky natural hair?

[ajoyfuljoy]

U know what, my white teammates used to call it rough and coarse... And other things... White ppl find a way to ruin a lot lol... I love em but they are ruiners LOL

Two people can use the same word. But the way you say it makes all the difference!!! I feel you and I'm sorry you had to go through that.

 

[SweetSpirit86]

I didn't want to say that b/c it sounds so in your face but I do agree to a certain extent. And this is coming from a relaxed chick who has struggled with transitioning for several years. I love the fact that my natural hair is kinky, coily, big and thick. Curls just doesn't get it for ME. It's way much more than that going on. And I love it.

My hair is coily. I do think when it grows out that the coils will probably join together and form little gangs to make bigger coils, but to me that still isn't curls. To me my hair is too special to be defined by such a generic word as "curl."

lol, I agree with this a little myself. However...(for the sake of example I'll use the word "kinky")...The hair on the sides of my head...is kinky. The hair on the top is curly/wavy. I think sometimes, when people have a mix they may use the one that "sounds better" as well, lol. Or they may just use a word simply because it's what has a larger ratio on their particular head. My daughter has more curls than she has kinks. My mom has more kinks than she has curls. My brother is STRAIGHT UP kink.In the end...it all means the same thing...and some words are only "bad" because we play them off that way. So if you want to turn kink into a positive word, I think that's great. However, right now for me...I prefer coily. My hair doesn't have any Z's yet from what I can see...just itty bitty O's and some S'.

This is such a cute convo. I love how people on this board can talk about things like this, and no one takes it personally. An opinion is an opinion. Everyone has the right to it. Nice topic!

 

[SEMO]

I completely agree with the fact that people should call their hair whatever they want. But for me, I don't think I will ever refer to my hair as curly b/c it is not a curl, it is tightly wound into a coil. And yes, each separate bend of that coil is technically a curl, but I just prefer coil.

And for me, it makes me feel as though I'm trying to mimic the language of those with looser-textured hair instead of embracing the unique characteristics of my own natural hair.

When I hear curls I think loose curls. When I hear coils, bushy, kiny, afro (...) I think of big, beautiful and fabulous highly-textured African hair that is unique, set apart and definitely in a category of its own. So for me, I guess that is why I like to use the special words.

I would like to reclaim the words "kinky" and "nappy" back from the haters and use them as terms of endearment for my hair.

That's just my two cents though. I do enjoy hearing everyone else's opinion and appreciate the fact that we all hold unique perspectives.

I understand what you're saying and think you should call you hair whatever you see it as. I just also understand why some people, who wouldn't classify their hair as curly, might not then use nappy or kinky to describe their hair.

Outside of the internet/hair boards, I have not once heard someone (regardless of race) use the words nappy or kinky in a positive way. I would be more inclined to describe my hair as coily if I didn't use the term curly.

 

[PerplexingComplex]

What's in a name?

I see curls... I call them curls...

When I think of kinks... I think of small krinkles... the tight Z shape as opposed to S shape... no matter what the size... the Z, zig zaggy pattern as opposed to softer S- loops and waves...

I never thought of kinks that way. I always thought it was when the hair tangles, but their really small tangles (ex. single strand knots). That's an interesting perspective.

A coil is a type of curl to me. However, since all curls are coil, wouldn't that make them synonyms?

 

[Loveygram]

I never liked the word kinky because it's interchangeable with weird.

The word Nap actually comes from a description of wool or the downy surface of woven material.

Coil is something twisted into a spiral shap or a series of rings and an old form of the word means trouble.

Frizzy means hair that is tightly curled and the commercials say frizzies are something you should hate..

The english language doean't cut us any breaks on how we describe our hair or our color so I guess whatever you feel comfortable with using is the way to go .

 

[Mad Scientist]

I always thought "nappy" was a bad word. In fact, before I joined this board I had never heard it used in a positive way and I definitely had never heard someone call their own hair nappy. Anyway, I call my hair (and all natural hair) curly but yall might think I'm in denial lol. My dad calls natural hair PEASY (peezy?) which is insulting, I'm pretty sure...so I wouldn't call mine or anyone else's nappy or peasy.

 

[SEMO]

Lol I feel u boo I didn't want to say it so thankyou lol... "My curls popped" is an irritating statement to me lol just say ur naps look nice today lol, and they probably look great without the goo lol I think it looks better honestly I love 4b hair without slime in it, its got character... Its blackness... Something I always wanted as a mixed chickie

No offense but, this post rubs me the wrong way. Especially since you are 3c (as noted in your siggy). How is 4b hair "blackness?" Are those without it less black? Calling it "blackness" sound like you're stereotyping.

 

[Mad Scientist]

woops double post

 

[SweetSpirit86]

I always thought "nappy" was a bad word. In fact, before I joined this board I had never heard it used in a positive way and I definitely had never heard someone call their own hair nappy. Anyway, I call my hair (and all natural hair) curly but yall might think I'm in denial lol. My dad calls natural hair PEASY (peezy?) which is insulting, I'm pretty sure...so I wouldn't call mine or anyone else's nappy or peasy.

Lol. I grew up with the words "peasy" and "beady bees" to describe some of my hair. I never found those ones insulting because it was just my dad saying it and he always used it when he was being playful with me. That and...if you could see my hair before it got past a centimeter long...it looked like a group of peas just sitting on my head. o_o

...And I think your hair is curly. *shrug*

 

[ajoyfuljoy]

No offense but, this post rubs me the wrong way. Especially since you are 3c (as noted in your siggy). How is 4b hair "blackness?" Are those without it less black? Calling it "blackness" sound like you're stereotyping.

My eyes glazed over that part. One of my loved ones is AA and her type is probably 1b or something. Her hair is barely wavy. And yet she isn't any less black than I am (well technically she has more European in her blood but you know what I am saying!)

Not every AA person has that highly textured hair. But I was referring to the highly textured hair in this thread.

And I hate to even call it an AA thing b/t I know that Jewish people have kinky coily hair too! The whole world is so diverse. But for the sake of this tiny thread I was just referring to AA with the coiliest hair...not saying that our loosely textured hair sistas are any less AA

 

[Hairsofab]

My hair is not curly or wavy. Its not even really coily. It is more wiry than coily. If I take a strand of my hair and examine it. There is no coil pattern, there are zig zags, some round/coil like shapes, but not in a need spring coilpattern. I don't take issue with people wanting to use the term curly but I wouldn't describe all kinky hair that way.

 

[ajoyfuljoy]

I always thought "nappy" was a bad word. In fact, before I joined this board I had never heard it used in a positive way and I definitely had never heard someone call their own hair nappy. Anyway, I call my hair (and all natural hair) curly but yall might think I'm in denial lol. My dad calls natural hair PEASY (peezy?) which is insulting, I'm pretty sure...so I wouldn't call mine or anyone else's nappy or peasy.

With my own take of the word I think your hair is curly. I never even heard the word peasy.

 

[ajoyfuljoy]

If I'm correct, I believe that one of the other hair boards uses nappy strictly to take away the negotive connation and negative memories of the word for its members. I wouldn't be skipping down the street shouting to the rooftops about my nappy hair but I would love to, within the confines of our small hair community, be able to use the word and have it be OK.

 

[Filmatic]

I can speak for anyone else's hair by my hair is curly and coily. I have some bigger curls and some smaller.

I don't care for the word nappy, because that has never described my hair. 'Dry' use to be, 'Neglected' been there too, but nappy no.

I think it has only been kinky when I had splits. My hair can be more cottony then anything.

 

[prettynatural]

I usually refer my hair as "natural" or that I have been wearing it "natural" due to talking with permed people or white people.

I understand the underlying message of this thread is why are nappy haired folks walking around calling their hair "curly" that other ethnic groups possess. Because they should represent the fullness of nappy hair and wear it like a crown. I think that a lot of nappy women have "curly" hair or "coily" hair and some of us don't. I think the bottom line is that we should accept and embrace fully what we have without having to compensate and feel the need to have some curly inclusion to be "pretty" or be above the status quo.

 

[Neith]

I completely agree with the fact that people should call their hair whatever they want. But for me, I don't think I will ever refer to my hair as curly b/c it is not a curl, it is tightly wound into a coil. And yes, each separate bend of that coil is technically a curl, but I just prefer coil.

And for me, it makes me feel as though I'm trying to mimic the language of those with looser-textured hair instead of embracing the unique characteristics of my own natural hair.

When I hear curls I think loose curls. When I hear coils, bushy, kiny, afro (...) I think of big, beautiful and fabulous highly-textured African hair that is unique, set apart and definitely in a category of its own. So for me, I guess that is why I like to use the special words.

I would like to reclaim the words "kinky" and "nappy" back from the haters and use them as terms of endearment for my hair.

That's just my two cents though. I do enjoy hearing everyone else's opinion and appreciate the fact that we all hold unique perspectives.

If it's technically true, it's true. Period.

I don't see how one would come from that conclusion when a person is speaking the logical truth.

A coil is a small curl. They are synonyms. There is just a shadow of difference between the two when you are talking about hair. Coil LITERALLY means small curl.

Ajoyfuljoy, I agree with you. Sometimes I jsut really think people are in denial and using that language supports it (especially when people start talking about defining their "curls" or making them "pop").

How can one be in denial when they actually DO have curls in their head?


I get what y'all are saying somewhat, but I don't agree. Just because someone says that their hair is curly doesn't mean that they are talking about large curls.

It's not like anyone is thinking that they are fooling anybody. It's easy to see what people's curl diameters are

MY hair is kinky, coily, curly, highly textured, "rough", nappy and anything else you wanna call it.

And nope, I'm not in, nor ever was in denial about that




coil [ koyl ]

noun (plural coils)
Definition: 1. series of loops: a series of connected loops into which something has been wound or gathered


Synonyms: loop, curl, spiral, twist, twirl, helix


Straight from the dictionary. So happy they listed synonyms.


I dunno... sometimes I just get the feeling that we always divide ourselves over the smallest things. Not coming from a bad place... just saying.

 

[jennboo]

I always thought "nappy" was a bad word. In fact, before I joined this board I had never heard it used in a positive way and I definitely had never heard someone call their own hair nappy. Anyway, I call my hair (and all natural hair) curly but yall might think I'm in denial lol. My dad calls natural hair PEASY (peezy?) which is insulting, I'm pretty sure...so I wouldn't call mine or anyone else's nappy or peasy.

From the looks of your sig pics, your hair IS curly, so no denial there

 

[Netta1]

I refer to my hair hair as nappy, kinky, frizzy, and coily.

..and I don't think what people call their hair matters as much as their attitude about natural afro textured hair in general...

least we forget that sometimes there are two transitions into the world of "napdom" the first is physical and the second is mental..

 

[SEMO]

My eyes glazed over that part. One of my loved ones is AA and her type is probably 1b or something. Her hair is barely wavy. And yet she isn't any less black than I am (well technically she has more European in her blood but you know what I am saying!)

Not every AA person has that highly textured hair. But I was referring to the highly textured hair in this thread.

And I hate to even call it an AA thing b/t I know that Jewish people have kinky coily hair too! The whole world is so diverse. But for the sake of this tiny thread I was just referring to AA with the coiliest hair...not saying that our loosely textured hair sistas are any less AA

I know. My comment/question wasn't directed at you. And maybe I'm too sensitive in this area. But having grown up in a predominantly white area, like music-bnatural-smile has said she did, I also understand how certain mentality's can inadvertently rub off on you (without you realizing it).

And her comment reminded me too much of the fake "compliments" that white people give sometimes when they really think they're better than you and are trying to "humor" you. Like, "your brown skin is so exotic and pretty. I hate how pale I am. I wish I was more your color." Knowing good and well they would NEVER trade you places.

I'm trying not to put words in her mouth. These are just my impressions and could be way off base. That's why I asked about it.

 

[Shay72]

I'm confused about the concern with what someone else calls THEIR hair.

 

[BrownieBrie]

Sooooo, what exactly is a curl, a kink and a coil?

 

[Auburn]

Ive always thought of kinky hair as hair with no coil or S wave pattern. shrugs

 

[dynamic1]

I think more of a question would be, how did the phrase kinky come about?

From the term kink.

• a short or tight twist or curl caused by doubling or winding something upon itself or
• A tight curl, or bend in length of thin material, as one caused by the tensing of a looped section of wire. or
• a short twist, curl, or bend in a thread, rope, hair, wire, etc.

Kinky is not a negative word, unless one attributes having kinky hair as something bad or wrong.

Regarding the topic -what difference does it make if someone with tightly curled hair calls their hair curly. It is what it is. I use all three terms; and I have had my hair referenced as kinky, curly and nappy by others who embrace the terminology in a positive way.

Is this one of those "stay in your lane threads?" (i.e "my hair is curly..no it isn't..let me save you from your delusion, denial and self-hate)

Also, people with all hair types use finishing/styling products, it isn't a crime when kinky/curly/nappy naturals do it.

 

[carib_n_curly]

i call my hair a fuzz ball or my kinky,curly,coily fluff. i've never really looked into it that much .

 

[Carrie A]

I really don't have an issue the with using the curly term. By definition to curl means to assume a spiral or curved shape. To twist into ringlets or coil. A curl refers to the spiral shape itself. So it is not incorrect to refer to tightly coiled hair as curly. Now the psychology behind the reference is another issue. You don't alwys know what motivates an individual. Personally I tend to say coily/kinky or natural sometimes curly when talking about my hair. It just depends who I am speaking to.

 

[Carrie A]

Sooooo, what exactly is a curl, a kink and a coil?

Actually they are all synonyms. A kink is a shorter curl or bend. A coil and a curl are interchangeable terms.

 

[Neith]

Ive always thought of kinky hair as hair with no coil or S wave pattern. shrugs

Wouldn't that describe straight hair?

Human hair comes straight, wavy and various degrees of curl - from kinky to loose curls.

I always wondered about people who say they don't have a curl pattern. I always thought of it as kinky/coily hair that just doesn't clump together into neat coils on it's own.

The absence of curl/coil/kink/wave = straight Right?

How can one be highly textured and not have any texture?

That's my thoughts on it...

I could be wrong though... what do you guys think?

 

[Lucia]

it's a smaller curl, that's all, so they can refer to big curls and kinky too, even wavy hair is classified as curly to some cause it's a loose curl that hangs more.

 

[Auburn]

Wouldn't that describe straight hair?

Human hair comes straight, wavy and various degrees of curl - from kinky to loose curls.

I always wondered about people who say they don't have a curl pattern. I always thought of it as kinky/coily hair that just doesn't clump together into neat coils on it's own.

The absence of curl/coil/kink/wave = straight Right?

How can one be highly textured and not have any texture?

That's my thoughts on it...

I could be wrong though... what do you guys think?

Im thinking of something along the lines of "4C" that's naturally "afrolike" & knots up easily.

 

[Carrie A]

Wouldn't that describe straight hair?

Human hair comes straight, wavy and various degrees of curl - from kinky to loose curls.

I always wondered about people who say they don't have a curl pattern. I always thought of it as kinky/coily hair that just doesn't clump together into neat coils on it's own.

The absence of curl/coil/kink/wave = straight Right?

How can one be highly textured and not have any texture?

That's my thoughts on it...
I could be wrong though... what do you guys think?

I remember on NP there was one girl that was confused about her hair type. She couldn't find anyone with hair like hers. Her hair was quite unique, unless she was pulling legs. Her natural hair was very straight - no curl. Yet it was obviously textured. It didn't look at all like caucasian hair. It looked sort of like blow dried afro text hair except it wasn't blowdried. It was very strange and perplexing.