This morning on the way to work I saw something quite breathtaking, glistening in the sun.

It’s short at the front and long at the back. It terrifies small children and grannies alike. It’s been loved, hated, celebrated and ridiculed. I am of course referring to the only thing that has the Business Up Front and the Party in the Back, the Mullet.

According to urban legend, the mullet dates back to the 19th century, when mullet fishermen wore their hair long in the back to keep warm. The mullet became popular in the 1970s, due in part to the influence of glam rock artist David Bowie, who wore the haircut during his Ziggy Stardust and Diamond Dogs phases.

In the 1980s, the mullet became big and bouffant, and be-mulleted men often indulged in other 1980s hair crazes such as spiked hair and blonde highlights. A wide range of mullets can be seen in loads of 80s music videos by the biggest British pop stars of the time.

Dying out somewhat in the 90s, there has always been a mullet underground. These proud mullet-men generally only come out at night to get to the local bar, start a fight and take home their prize, generally a be-mulleted female.

Cruelly associated with Heavy Metal and receding hairlines, the mullet has many variations. Outlined below are just the few we could legally talk about.

Bus-Mullet: This type of mullet is one that is particularly neatly cut in the front, giving the appearance from the front of a clean cut business person, but is ready for any type of occasion from corporate business to rockin’ it up at the weekend.

Skullet: A skullet is a variation of the mullet. A skullet is defined by a shaved but generally bald head with long hair on the sides and in the back. It’s the look often sported by old guys trying to re-live their glory days. Hulk Hogan, Michael Bolton, Bill Bailey and Ron Jeremy are all proud supporter’s of the Skullet and ensure that it’s legend lives on.

Fem-Mullet: A mullet sported by a female. In the UK, this lady version is more generally referred to as a Fillet, She-Mullet or a Fullet.

Mullet-hawk: This is a different take on the mullet, where the sides of the head are shaven (or at least significantly short) with short hair on the front and long in the back much like a classic mullet. The mohawk mullet is also known as the “Mulhawk” to some. Also known as “The Dream Hawk.”

Chullet: General term used to describe a child mullet. Otherwise known as child cruelty.

I know what your thinking, and don’t worry. Although I am a fan of looking at the mullet, I don’t think I could ever truly sport one. You’ve got to have courage, dedication and a denim jacket to uphold the mullet’s legacy. I’ll leave it to the roadies and the retired rock stars.