Mufflers muffle things

While our December has been rather warm, we have had some chilly days and nights.  During those times we bundle up and one piece of the ensemble is usually a muffler.  No, not like the kind on a car.  A muffler is also known as a scarf.  In fact, I just had this exact same discussion with a coworker while we were costuming the last show of the Playhouse season, A Christmas Carol.  The definition of a muffler, according to freedictionary.com, is “a heavy scarf worn around the neck for warmth.”  We have a wonderful example of a muffler belonging to Will Taylor in the Virgil and Thelma Linam Collection.

Just like one of those math problems I hated when I was younger, mufflers are always scarves but scarves are not always mufflers.  Scarves have a long and varied history.  It is said that the scarf began as a status symbol in ancient Egypt (scarves.net).  According to realmenrealstyle.com, it began as an accessory for men in the 3^rd century BCE (before common era) when Chinese soldiers wore scarves to signify rank.  Scarves in ancient Rome were a mark of class just like with the Egyptians.  Over time, scarves made their way to France and, during the time of Louis XIV evolved into cravats.  Victorian England adopted the scarf and cravat for both men and women and it remained a status symbol with the knot indicating the social class.

Scarves, nowadays, don’t signify social class, but are used for fashion, cleanliness, warmth, and keeping away dust and can come in a variety of colors and styles.  I couldn’t find much history about the muffler, itself, but one has to assume it came out of a practical need to keep warm.  I know for me, a scarf, or a muffler, is a necessity in the winter.  The Western Heritage Museum Complex and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame will be closed December 22, 2012 – January 6, 2013.  We hope to see you in the spring semester with our newest exhibit:  Crime Lab Detective, opening January 24!  Until then, stay warm and have a safe and wonderful holiday season!!