Greaser

Greasers are a working class youth subculture that originated in the 1950s among young eastern and Southern United States street gangs, and then became popular among other types of people. In the 1950s and early 1960s, these youths were known as hoods. Their name came from their greased back hair, which involved combing back hair with wax, gel, creams, tonics or pomade. Other popular greases used were olive oil or petroleum jelly. Some greasers w... more

Greasers are a working class youth subculture that originated in the 1950s among young eastern and Southern United States street gangs, and then became popular among other types of people. In the 1950s and early 1960s, these youths were known as hoods. Their name came from their greased back hair, which involved combing back hair with wax, gel, creams, tonics or pomade. Other popular greases used were olive oil or petroleum jelly. Some greasers worked at gas stations or shops that repaired cars or motorcycles. The greaser style was imitated by many youths not associated with gangs, as an expression of rebellion. The term greaser reappeared in later decades as part of a revival of 1950s popular culture. One of the first manifestations of this revival was a 1971 American 7 Up television commercial that featured a 1950s greaser saying "Hey remember me? I'm the teen angel." The act Sha Na Na also played a major role. Although the greaser subculture was largely an American youth phenomenon... less