Charlie Chaplin’s Moustache Was Fake
What was Charlie Chaplin’s signature moustache called?
Interesting Facts in Easy English
Pre-Listening Vocabulary
- sport: to wear something fashionable
- bristles: short, rough hairs
- philtrum: the indentation between the nose and the upper lip (also called Cupid’s bow)
- tramp: a homeless beggar
- taboo: forbidden in social circles
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Charlie Chaplin’s Moustache Was Fake
Comprehension Questions
- What do many men do during the month of November?
- Which actor helped popularize the toothbrush moustache?
- What is the philtrum?
Discussion Questions: Are cancer awareness events useful for raising money and awareness, or have they become too gimmicky and therefore disrespectful to those who are suffering or have lost loved ones to cancer?
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Charlie Chaplin’s Moustache Was Fake
During the month of November many men grow a moustache to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues, including prostate cancer. The observance is called Movember, and has been in existence since 1999. While you’ll see men sporting a variety of moustache styles in the month of November, you’ll see few with Charlie Chaplin’s signature “toothbrush” moustache. This style of moustache, a short rectangular strip of bristles that covers the philtrum, was worn by some men in the early 1900s when Charlie Chaplin played The Little Tramp in his silent comedies. Chaplin’s moustache was fake, and he removed it along with his bowler hat and cane when he was not in character. Movember participants aren’t likely to grow this style of moustache because of its association with Adolf Hitler whose toothbrush moustache was real. After World War II, the toothbrush moustache became known as the “Hitler” moustache and became taboo along with the name Adolf.
- Many men grow moustaches in the month of November in order to raise awareness and money for men’s health.
- Charlie Chaplin helped popularize the toothbrush moustache.
- The philtrum is the indentation in the space above the lip and below the nose.
