Braid vs ponytail

[bungakawa2000]

Hello there!

As you may know, English is not my first language, so it's time for another of those "what is the right word for..." thread...

When talking about hairstyles, I often see the word "ponytail". However, after some research, it seems that in some cases, "braid" would be a more accurate word. What prompted me to do that research was an addition to "Tomb Raider: Escape from the Temple" that I'm working on. Thinking in French and writing in English, I realized I was not using the same word when talking about her hair... Since her hair are not hanging freely, would "braid" be a better word to describe her hairstyle? Or is that definition of "braid" one of those definitions that are in dictionaries but that nobody actually use?

Thanks!

Bunga

P.s.: I know it's just a detail.

 

[jakelyon]

Ponytail

In the sense that you are using it braid describes Lara's hair style in the game. Ponytail denotes a looser style that would allow the hair to swing free, not good for Tomb Raider girl.

 

[bungakawa2000]

So, I won't get every writer to fetch a dictionary to understand that word?

Thanks, was wondering if it were at all common since I had never seen it anywhere...

Bunga

 

[SparkyMan]

Braid vs. Ponytail

Thought you'd like a picture of the braid!

Yes braid is still used. Occasionally people call a braid a ponytail, but never the other way around.

Ponytail is usually referred to as the loose gathering of hair, where a braid is when the hair is interwoven into a semming knot.

Have fun writing... also check out my Tomb Raider link!