Is someone staring at you with their brows lowered and a look of anger on their face? You could say they’re giving you the ‘hairy eyeball.’ This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The expression ‘hairy eyeball’ refers to a facial expression where someone gives you a look of hostility, anger, or frustration. The person lowers their eyebrows, looking through their eyelashes at you with a ‘death stare.’ Typically, the ‘hairy eyeball’ describes emotions of hostility, but it can also refer to other emotions like disappointment and regret.
If you give someone the ‘hairy eyeball,’ you’re usually upset at their words or actions. It’s a way of letting someone know you’re upset with them without the need to express it verbally.
Example Usage
"Why are you giving me the hairy eyeball? What did I do wrong? You can't leave me hanging like this, tell me what the problem is, and I'll fix it."
"Look at that girl giving you the hairy eyeball. I don't think she appreciated that last joke. She must be a feminist or something."
"If someone gives you the hairy eyeball, the best thing you can do is walk away from the situation. Confronting the person about it will likely lead to an argument or fight."
"I like giving people the hairy eyeball if they upset me. I find it's effective at getting people to apologize for their actions, and you don't have to say a word."
"That girl is giving me the hairy eyeball. I wonder what I did to make her upset? I haven't seen a death stare like that in a long time."
"A hairy eyeball is a great tool for letting people know you're upset with them and that they should make amends with you for their transgressions."
"Don't give me the hairy eyeball. It's not my fault. We wouldn't be in this position if you listened to me from the start."
Origin
The expression 'hairy eyeball' originates from the United States in the 1960s. The first recording of the phrase was in The Galveston Daily News, in an article reporting on an interview with Carol Burnett in November 1961. The term appears as follows.
"With her, everything is boys-boys-boys. She's really educated me. She was telling me about a boy looking at her, and she said, 'he gave me the hairy eyeball.' That meant he liked her."
It appears that the early use of the phrase was to give someone a sly look insinuating that you like them. However, the modern use of the expression, referring to a look of disparagement, frustration, or anger, occurred in November 1963, in a piece in The New York Times, where it appears as follows.
"He gave me the hairy eyeball."
Phrases Similar to Hairy Eyeball
- The evil eye.
- Death stare.
Phrases Opposite to Hairy Eyeball
- Soft gaze.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Hairy eyeball.
Ways People May Say Hairy Eyeball Incorrectly
The expression ‘hairy eyeball’ doesn’t mean that you have hair growing on your eye or that there is hair trapped in your eye. It refers to a look people give you that you might find intimidating. Typically, the hairy eyeball is used for minor infractions, not serious offenses against others.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Hairy Eyeball
You can use the expression ‘hairy eyeball’ to describe a hostile glance from someone looking at you with lowered eyebrows. You might notice their hatred or anger in their stare, and you should avoid making eye contact or engaging with the person. Just walk away. The phrase suits social and professional use.
For instance, your boss could give you a hairy eyeball after you commit an offense at work. Your partner or friends may give you the hairy eyeball after you make a comment they find offensive or strange. In most cases, the hairy eyeball is a way of a person sizing you up to see if you’re deliberately trying to offend or hurt them.