Bristle

From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids

A bristle is a stiff hair or feather. Also used are synthetic materials such as nylon or straw in items such as brooms and sweepers. Bristles are often used to make brushes for cleaning uses, as they are strongly abrasive; common examples include the toothbrush and toilet brush. The Bristle Brush is a common household cleaning tool, often used to remove dirt or grease from pots and pans.

"Bristle" is also a humorous misspelling of Bristol, in imitation of the local dialect in the English city of that name, popularised by the book Krek Waiter's Peak Bristle ("Correct Way to Speak Bristol").

[edit] Variations of bristle in the animal kingdom

Bristles are found on pig breeds instead of fur on most mammals. Because the density is less than with fur, pigs are vulnerable to sunburn. One breed, the Tamworth Pig is endowed with a very dense bristle structure such that sunburn damage to skin is minimised. Animals named for their bristles include the bristle-thighed curlew, the bristle-spined porcupine, and the trinity bristle snail.