Loc is a common modern term for [dreadlocks]; in modern parlance both [dreads] and locs might be used to refer to dreadlocks, but the tone is rather different. A lot of people avoid 'dreads' and 'dreadlocks' because the word [dread] is, to belabor the obvious subtext, [dreadful]. In fashion the term loc is becoming increasingly more common, with [butterfly locs], [microlocs], [sisterlocks], and just plain traditional locs proliferating.

While usage is still flexible, locs tend to refer specifically to [African] and especially [African-American] hair; while anyone might have dreadlocks, locs are fairly limited to styles designed for and primarily worn by African-Americans, especially women. Contrarywise, not all locs are dreadlocks, as any style that looks a bit like traditional locs may use the term.

LOC (thing)