The word "deadhead" is commonly spelled as d-e-a-d-h-e-a-d. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced as /ˈdɛd.hɛd/. The first syllable is pronounced with the short "e" sound, followed by the "d" sound. The second syllable has a short "e" sound as well, and is followed by the "h" sound. The stress is on the first syllable. "Deadhead" can refer to a person who attends concerts or events without paying or to the removal of spent blooms from plants to encourage more growth.
Deadhead can be defined as a noun or a verb depending on the context, with slightly different meanings in each case.
As a noun, deadhead refers to a person who attends a concert or other event without a ticket or someone who travels as a non-revenue passenger on a transportation vehicle, typically having completed a previous trip. In the context of concerts or events, a deadhead is known for following a particular band or artist fervently, often attending multiple concerts and even traveling long distances to do so. They may gain entry through various means such as finding unused tickets, waiting outside the venue hoping for extra tickets, or being a guest of the band or crew. Deadheads are commonly associated with the band Grateful Dead and its loyal fan base.
As a verb, deadhead means to transport a passenger or cargo without actively earning revenue or to travel as a non-revenue passenger. In transportation, this term is used to describe the situation when a vehicle, such as a bus or plane, operates without paying passengers after completing a trip or before starting a new one. This may occur, for instance, when a bus returns to its depot or when an airline crew flies without passengers to position themselves for the next flight. Deadheading can also refer to removing faded or dead flowers from plants to divert energy towards new growth or to simply improve the appearance of the plant.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "deadhead" has multiple meanings and origins. The primary meaning refers to a fan of the American rock band the Grateful Dead, who followed the band on tour. The term originated in the 1960s and was popularized by the band's followers. The word "deadhead" is a combination of "dead", referring to the band's name, and "head", which was a slang term for a fan or aficionado.
However, "deadhead" also has other meanings. It can refer to someone who travels empty or without paying on a commercial vehicle, such as a plane or train. In this context, the word originated in the transportation industry, particularly among railroad workers, in the late 19th century. It derives from the idea of a deadheading flower, which means a flower without a stem, thus representing the idea of traveling without passengers.