In this encore episode of Decoder Ring, Willa Paskin investigates the mullet hairstyle, which became a cultural symbol tied to the 1980s but has its roots in the early 1970s with figures like David Bowie. The term 'mullet' itself was coined only in 1994 by the Beastie Boys, revealing the complexities of cultural memory and societal perceptions around this hairstyle. The episode discusses the hairstyles' historical significance, its various names across cultures, and the contributions of different cultural icons, all while examining how language and stereotypes shape our understanding of trends over time.