Mohawk vs. Fohawk — What's the Difference?
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By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 23, 2023
Mohawk features shaved sides with a central strip of long hair, while a Fohawk mimics this style but without shaving the sides.
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Difference Between Mohawk and Fohawk
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A notable characteristic of the Mohawk revolves around its historical and cultural relevance, often associated with punk subculture and rebelliousness, while the Fohawk allows wearers to engage with a tamed, socially acceptable version of the radical original. The Fohawk preserves the hair on the sides, often merely styling it to create a faux Mohawk look, leveraging the versatility in everyday presentation.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 23, 2023
The Mohawk is a striking and rebellious hairstyle, manifesting as a narrow strip of lengthy hair running along the top of the head from the forehead to the nape, with both sides of the head shaven clean. Divergently, the Fohawk, a portmanteau of "fake" and "Mohawk," implies a similar aesthetic but without committing to shaving the sides of the head, establishing a less radical appearance while nodding to the rebellious essence of the original Mohawk style.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 23, 2023
Conclusively, while the Mohawk persists as a symbol of defiance and non-conformity, the Fohawk emerges as a socially and aesthetically digestible alternative, granting wearers the edginess of the former with the flexibility and versatility of a less rigid style, navigating between daring and practical.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 23, 2023
Embracing the Mohawk necessitates a willingness to uphold a stark, distinctive hairstyle that boldly announces itself. In contrast, the Fohawk stands out by providing a palatable alternative that communicates a playful, edgy aesthetic without requiring the commitment to a fully shaven side, thereby allowing an easier transition between styles and a more workplace-appropriate aesthetic.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 23, 2023
Styling a Mohawk involves maintaining the precision of the shaven sides and often employing products to uphold the central strip, an iconic and globally recognized style. In contrast, the Fohawk typically necessitates the use of styling products to manipulate the hair, creating a visible contrast and lift, delivering an impression of the Mohawk without the permanence of shaving and the potential for varied styling.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 23, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Styling Effort
Moderate (keeping the strip upright)
Variable (depending on desired appearance)
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 23, 2023
Commitment Level
High (due to the need to maintain shaven sides)
Low (easily reversible)
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 23, 2023
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Definitions
Mohawk
Hairstyle requiring maintenance of a center strip.
He uses gel to keep his Mohawk upright and rigid.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 03, 2023
Fohawk
A hairstyle mimicking the Mohawk without shaving the sides.
His Fohawk was a nod to punk style without full commitment.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 03, 2023
Mohawk
Shaven sides with a prominent, often spiked, top strip.
The Mohawk often signifies a departure from traditional styles.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 03, 2023
Fohawk
Casual, trendy haircut emulating the Mohawk.
The Fohawk became popular as a fashionable, edgy style.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 03, 2023
Mohawk
A hairstyle with shaven sides and a central strip of long hair.
Punk rockers often sport a Mohawk as a symbol of rebellion.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 03, 2023
Fohawk
A non-permanent, adaptable version of the Mohawk.
He chose a Fohawk for its versatility in styling options.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 03, 2023
Mohawk
Haircut signifying non-conformity and rebellion.
His Mohawk immediately catches attention in the crowd.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 03, 2023
Fohawk
A hairstyle that maintains an edge without shaved sides.
The Fohawk gives a playful, rebellious look without the maintenance.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 03, 2023
Mohawk
A member of a Native American people formerly inhabiting northeast New York along the Mohawk and upper Hudson Valleys north to the St. Lawrence River, with present-day populations chiefly in southern Ontario and extreme northern New York. The Mohawk were the easternmost member of the Iroquois confederacy.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Jan 29, 2023
Fohawk
Hair styled to resemble a Mohawk without using a razor.
The Fohawk allows him to alternate between styles easily.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 03, 2023
Mohawk
A hairstyle in which the scalp is shaved except for an upright strip of hair that runs across the crown of the head from the forehead to the nape of the neck.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Jan 29, 2023
Mohawk
One of a tribe of Indians who formed part of the Five Nations. They formerly inhabited the valley of the Mohawk River.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Jan 29, 2023
Mohawk
One of certain ruffians who infested the streets of London in the time of Addison, and took the name from the Mohawk Indians.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Jan 29, 2023
Mohawk
A member of the Iroquoian people formerly living along the Mohawk River in New York state
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Tayyaba Rehman
Jan 29, 2023
Mohawk
A globally recognized, bold hairstyle.
The Mohawk has become synonymous with the punk rock movement.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 03, 2023
FAQs
Can a Fohawk be turned into a Mohawk?
Yes, by shaving the sides, a Fohawk can be turned into a Mohawk.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 23, 2023
Is a Fohawk easier to maintain than a Mohawk?
Yes, a Fohawk generally requires less maintenance than a Mohawk.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 23, 2023
Is a Mohawk culturally significant?
Yes, Mohawks have historical and subcultural significance.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 23, 2023
Can a Fohawk be styled in different ways?
Yes, a Fohawk offers varied styling options due to retained side hair.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 23, 2023
Which hairstyle requires more frequent haircuts, Mohawk or Fohawk?
Mohawk often requires more frequent maintenance to keep sides shaven.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 23, 2023
Can both Mohawk and Fohawk be worn by all genders?
Yes, both hairstyles can be adopted by any gender.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 23, 2023
Does a Mohawk require hair products for styling?
Typically yes, Mohawks often require products for hold and structure.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 23, 2023
How does a Mohawk differ from a Fohawk?
A Mohawk involves shaven sides, while a Fohawk retains side hair.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 23, 2023
Is the Fohawk considered a modern hairstyle?
Yes, the Fohawk is often associated with modern, trendy looks.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 23, 2023
Does a Mohawk always need to be spiked?
No, Mohawks can be styled in various ways, not always spiked.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 23, 2023
Are there age restrictions for wearing a Fohawk?
No, a Fohawk can be worn by individuals of all ages.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 23, 2023
Do Mohawks have military origins?
Yes, Mohawks have been adopted by certain military groups historically.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 23, 2023
Can a Fohawk be worn with longer side hair?
Yes, Fohawks can be styled with varying lengths of side hair.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 23, 2023
Is the Fohawk suitable for formal occasions?
Often, the Fohawk is seen as more adaptable to formal settings than a Mohawk.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 23, 2023
Can color be added to a Mohawk or Fohawk?
Yes, both hairstyles can be dyed or highlighted as desired.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 23, 2023
Author Spotlight
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.