To Tow or Toe, that is the question...

I would like to thank my dear friend, Sharon for clearing up this ongoing debate of:  It's TOW head - not toe.


It's 'tow head' - 'tow' being derived from an older German word for flax or straw. Essentially it means having hair the color of straw (light yellow).

This is a US phrase and the reference to is to 'tow', which is the light-colored fiber of flax, hemp, or jute. 'Tow-headed' is having tousled blond hair. This dates back to the19th century.