threading
THRED-ing
/ˈθrɛdɪŋ/
A hair removal technique in which a doubled and twisted cotton thread is rolled over areas of unwanted hair, plucking the hair at the follicle level.
Commonly used for shaping eyebrows and removing facial hair; praised for its extreme precision and lack of chemical use.
The story behind the word. The word 'thread' comes from the Old English 'þræd', meaning 'that which is spun'. The grooming technique of threading, known as 'khite' in Arabic and 'band' in Persian, has been practiced for thousands of years in the Middle East and South Asia before gaining global popularity in the late 20th century.
Word relationships
- threading epilation: Threading epilation is the formal, technical term, while threading is the standard commercial and conversational name.
Commonly confused with
- tweezing: Tweezing pulls out one hair at a time with a metal tool, while threading can pluck an entire row of hairs simultaneously using a twisted loop of thread.
Word family
- thread (verb): To remove hair using a twisted cotton loop.
Collocations
- eyebrow threading
- threading salon
- threading technique
Example sentences
- "I switched from waxing to threading for my eyebrows because it gives a much cleaner, more defined arch." A beauty blog discussing eyebrow shaping options.
- "Originating in Central Asia and India, threading requires immense manual dexterity to control the tension of the cotton loop." A description of traditional grooming arts.
Memory hook
Picture a tailor using a fine cotton thread to neatly 'sew' away a line of unwanted eyebrow hairs. Thread twists hair away.
When not to use
Do not use when referring to sewing, textile manufacturing, or online forum discussions ('thread creation'), unless the context of grooming is clearly established.
Fun facts
- In Persian culture, threading the entire face was historically reserved for special occasions, most notably marking a young woman's transition into adulthood or marriage.
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