E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Elf-locks.
Tangled hair. It is said that one of the favourite amusements of Queen Mab is to tie people’s hair in knots. When Edgar impersonates a madman, “he elfs all his hair in knots.” (Lear, ii. 3.)
“This is that very Mab
That plats the manes of horses in the night,
And bakes [? cakes] the elf-locks in foul sluttish hairs.”
