The phrase "hide and hair" refers to the entirety of something, often an animal. Despite its common usage, the spelling of this phrase can be confusing. The "hid" in "hide" is pronounced with a long "i" sound, while "hair" is pronounced with a short "a" sound. In IPA transcription, it would appear as /haɪd/ and /hɛr/. The origins of the phrase are not clear, but it dates back to at least the 1800s in American English.
"Hide and hair" is an idiomatic phrase that refers to the complete absence or lack of something or someone. The phrase is typically used to describe the total disappearance or complete non-existence of a person, animal, or thing.
Derived from the literal meaning of "hide" as the skin of an animal and "hair" as a covering on the body, the phrase originally referred to the absence of both hide and hair, which implied the complete disappearance of an animal. Over time, this phrase has been figuratively extended to describe the total absence of anything or anyone.
In contemporary usage, "hide and hair" is often employed to emphasize the complete lack or non-appearance of a person or an object. It is commonly used in expressions such as "I haven't seen hide nor hair of him/her" or "No trace of that item was found, not a hide nor hair." These expressions convey the complete absence or disappearance of someone or something, often implying that it is difficult to find any evidence or trace of them.
Overall, "hide and hair" represents a figurative phrase used to describe the absolute lack or disappearance of a person, animal, or object, emphasizing the absence of any visible or tangible presence.