mullet

Etymology 1

Wikispecies From Middle English molet, mulett, from Old French mulet (now ‘grey mullet’), from Latin mullus (“red mullet”), from Ancient Greek μύλλος (múllos).

noun

1. A fish of the family Mullidae (order Syngnathiformes), especially the genus Mullus (the red mullets or goatfish).
2. (especially US) A fish of the family Mugilidae (order Mugiliformes) (the grey mullets).
3. (US) Any of several species of freshwater fish in the sucker family (especially in the genus Moxostoma, the redhorses)

Etymology 2

Also termed a mullethead, possibly derived from the fish (see Etymology 1) or from mull (meaning to stupefy) though neither is certain.

noun

1. A fool.

Etymology 3

1994 US. Coined and popularized by hip hop group the Beastie Boys in their song "Mullet Head".

noun

1. A hairstyle where the hair is kept short on the top and sides and long at the back.
   – Mullet head, don't touch the back – Cut the sides, don't touch the back 1994, Beastie Boys, Mullet Head
   – Maybe it's a curly fro. – Maybe every day is bad hair day! – Maybe it's a mullet! 2008, Danielle Corsetto, Girls With Slingshots 406
2. (slang) A person who mindlessly follows a fad, a trend, or a leader.

Etymology 4

From Middle English molet, from Old French molette (“rowel”).

noun

1. (heraldry) A star with straight edges and usually with five or six points.
   Grogan, Creation of 1859, or Moyvore, Westmeath. … Arms,—Barry of sex or and sable, on a chief engrailed azure a lion passant of the first. Crest,—A lion's head erased sable, charged with a mullet or. 1871, Debrett's illustrated baronetage and knightage (and companionage) of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, page 215
2. The rowel of a spur.