As incredible as it sounds, men and women took baths only twice a year (May
and October) Women kept their hair covered, while men shaved their heads
(because of lice and bugs) and wore wigs. Wealthy men could afford good wigs
made from wool. They couldn't wash the wigs, so to clean them they would
carve out a loaf of bread, put the wig in the shell, and bake it for 30
minutes. The heat would make the wig big and fluffy, hence the term 'big
wig.' Today we often use the term 'here comes the Big Wig' because someone
appears to be or is powerful and wealthy.