Pronunciation: [ˈɛlf lˈɒk] (IPA) 
The term "Elf lock" refers to tangled hair, usually when waking up after a restless night's sleep. The spelling of this word is interesting because it combines the common English spelling of "elf" with the archaic use of "lock" to mean a tangled mass of hair. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word would be pronounced /ɛlf lɒk/, with the stress on the first syllable of "elf" and the vowel in "lock" sounding like the "o" in "lot."
Elf lock refers to a tangled condition of hair, typically found in humans or animals, for which there is no logical explanation. The term originated from European folklore, where it was believed that mischievous elves would sneak into houses at night and tie knots in people's hair while they slept, causing it to become tangled and snarled.
In this context, "elf" refers to supernatural beings or spirits from various mythologies, often portrayed as small, elusive creatures with magical powers. "Lock" denotes a tangled or knotted mass, specifically in reference to hair. The term "elf lock" is used metaphorically to describe the seemingly inexplicable tangles that suddenly appear in hair overnight, as if an unseen mischievous entity had interwoven it.
While the existence of elves and their alleged interference in human affairs is purely mythical, the term "elf lock" is still used today to describe tangled hair with no discernible cause. It is often associated with knots that are difficult to comb or untangle, requiring patience and effort to remove. The phenomenon has also been compared to "bedhead" or "rat's nest" in modern vernacular, emphasizing the frustrating and perplexing nature of the knots.
Overall, "elf lock" refers to the puzzling entanglement of hair that cannot be rationally explained, drawing inspiration from ancient folklore and enchanting tales of supernatural creatures.
The term "Elf lock" combines two distinct words, "elf" and "lock", each with their own etymology.
The word "elf" has Old English origins, deriving from the word "ælf" or "alf". The term refers to a mythological creature or spirit that was believed to have magical powers and resided in forests or other natural locations. Elves were often depicted as small, supernatural beings in folklore and mythology.
The word "lock" comes from Old English as well, where it was spelled as "loc". It referred to a tangle or knot, specifically relating to hair. Over time, it developed the meaning of a fastening device, such as a lock on a door.
When these two words combine, "Elf lock" refers to a phenomenon in folklore where the hair becomes tangled or knotted overnight as a result of mischievous elves or fairies.
