The Origin of 'Sideburns': How a General's Facial Hair Changed Language

The general whose facial hair is credited with creating the term "sideburns" is General Ambrose Burnside, a Union general during the American Civil War.

Burnside had distinctive muttonchop whiskers that extended down the sides of his face, covering his ears. These whiskers were so recognizable that they became known as "Burnside's whiskers" and eventually shortened to "sideburns."