Fuzzy dice
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FuzzyDice.jpg
Classic fuzzy dice
Fuzzy dice are an automotive decoration consisting of two plush dice which hang from the rear-view mirror. The classic style of fuzzy dice is white dice with black dots, roughly 4 in (10 cm) on a side, although a wide variety of colors and sizes are now available in automotive supply and novelty stores. The original fuzzy dice were six-sided (d6), but also 20-sided (d20) fuzzy dice exist. Fuzzy dice became popular in the United States for a brief period in the 1950s. Thereafter, they went through a number of cycles of varying popularity, but have not remained popular, at least widely, since the 1970s. Today, many people consider them tacky.
Fuzzy dice are the precursor to a number of other mirror-hanging automotive accessories. The modern automobile owner is likely familiar with dangling pine tree air fresheners, as well as less common hanging disco balls, 8 balls, and skeletons. An interesting variation is the hanging dice air freshener; such an item is generally not fuzzy but otherwise resembles fuzzy dice.
Fuzzy dice in pop culture
The music in Frank Zappa's movie Uncle Meat makes multiple references to fuzzy dice, including one song about a 1939 Chevy sporting fuzzy dice and bongos, brodie knobs and spinners, chromium-plated. This description is intended to give the impression of a car that is, depending on your point of view, either very stylish or overdecorated and tacky.
There is a Los Angeles, CA-based rockabilly group called The Fuzzy Dice.
Fuzzy dice and the law
Fuzzy dice, or any dangling decoration that could potentially limit visibility, are outlawed in many jurisdictions, usually punishable by fine. However, citations are rare except in cases where this visual obstruction is believed to be have actually contributed to an accident. In any case, fuzzy dice alone generally provide insufficient authority to stop a motorist.
External links
- Commercial source for d20 fuzzy dice (http://www.jinx.com/scripts/details.asp?affid=-1&productID=438)