Is Wearing a Hitler Moustache a Good Idea?

Is the Hitler moustache history?  Since World War II it has not been popular, but long before Hitler rose to power, the toothbrush was the signature look of Charlie Chaplin.   In fact, the tiny moustache was quite fashionable at one time.

Now comedian Richard Herring is sporting a toothbrush moustache for his Edinburgh show, 'Hitler Moustache', in which he rails against voter apathy and fascism.  Herring said of his new moustache, "As people passed they would start laughing about five yards behind me. A group of lads called me 'Adolf'. I haven't had any sense of anger but I think some people were intimidated or scared."

With such a hairy past, it shouldn't be suprising that his moustache would get a lot of lip.  But Herring is convinced that a Hitler moustache might grow on us -- provided we don't turn up our noses.

Link

From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by Kalel.


One of my fellow employees at my last job sports a moustache like this. In his case an overwhelming personality distracts people from thinking of Hitler. I never associated him with Hitler until I read this article. Of course I believe this style only works on few people.
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I thought Chaplin decided to wear Hitler's moustache while he acted foolish... to make Hitler look foolish, too. (not that he wasn't... but not everyone could see see his folly at the time)
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I'm reminded of the Seinfeld episode, where Elain get's ink from her leaking fountain pen on her boss's upper lip before he has a meeting with his shareholders.
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Rich Cohen wrote a really captivating article last year on the toothbrush mustache. Among other things, I learned from it that the style was invented by American expats living in Europe during the culturally explosive 1920s.

Also: ever notice that today's Euro and American politicos tend to avoid facial hair altogether?

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/11/cohen200711
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Supposedly, even Hitler was advised against sporting the toothbrush, simply because it was far from fashionable in Germany at the time. In other words, he made a fashion statement!
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Seems to me that after so long, it's probably past time that symbols and such appropriated by Hitler and his bunch be reclaimed and given new and better meanings.
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