A merkin is a pubic wig, traditionally worn to cover the pubic area. It has a long history dating back to the 15th century in Europe, initially used for modesty, hygiene, or to conceal signs of disease, and has since appeared in various contexts from stage and film to fashion and art. In modern times, merkins are sometimes used in film production to preserve modesty during nudity scenes, and occasionally appear in fashion or pop culture discussions.