Definition of "Merkin" as in Merkin Muffley

Rating: Null/10 (5 July 2007)

A Merkin is an item of French origin. I am not sure at what point in French History it was developed but I would imagine it came about in the 18th or 19th Century. In order to control lice the French would sometimes shave off body hair. Being a fashion conscious bunch the, I assume, upper class French developed the Merkin. I'm dancing around this here as I do not wish to be blacklisted but, oh well, here it goes. A Merkin is a pubic hair toupee. Check it out,honest to God (I'm not about to speculate on the last name).Many years ago when I first heard this I checked it out in my junior college library and remember finding the word defined as such.