E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Love-lock.
A small curl gummed to the temples, sometimes called a beau or bow catcher. When men indulge in a curl in front of their ears, the love-lock is called a bell-rope—i.e. a rope to pull the belles after them. At the latter end of the sixteenth century the love-lock was a long lock of hair hanging in front of the shoulders, curled and decorated with bows and ribbons.
