Powell's Hair being "Filed?" What's THAT about?!

[BettyO]

I would have to agree with both Laurie and Maddie -

No - it's not a misprint because I've found one other reference to it - and it's called "filed" in both accounts.... I think it means close cut - but I'd love to know for sure....

The only thing that I can come up with would be the fact that since we know that he had his hair cut in mid June and again on July 4 (as per the Hartranft Letter Books) then it must be Victorian slang or a euphemism for what we commonly call a "crew cut" or "buzz cut" today.... but I would love to find a documented reference to it; such as how was it done? Cut short withi scissors and then razored? Or was it simply razored? That would be pretty drastic - I couldn't imagine putting a straight razor on anyone's head! OUCH!!