General
blow your wig
What does blow your wig mean?
To lose your temper or self-control; to flip out.
"Don't blow your wig over a parking ticket, daddy-o."
Origin
From 1930s-40s jazz and jive slang, where the 'wig' meant the head or mind; to 'blow your wig' (or 'flip your wig') was to lose your head with emotion. Beatniks inherited it from this jazz lineage.
Frequently asked questions
What does blow your wig mean in slang?
It means to lose your composure — to be blown away with excitement, or to flip out with anger. Both senses were current in jazz and beat speech.
Where did blow your wig come from?
From 1930s-40s jazz jive, where 'wig' meant the head or mind. To 'blow' or 'flip' your wig was to lose your head with emotion.
Is it the same as 'flip your wig'?
Yes — 'flip your wig' is a close variant from the same jazz-slang family, both meaning to come unglued with feeling.
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