Thanks Steve, I look forward to that.

Pure speculation but the more I think about it, the more 'crusty dreadlocks' seem a likely candidate, both in the context of the verse (a description of his shabbiness, not of his physical prowess) but also because 'doldrums' would be a very sensible slang term for dreadlocks, given that they are the product of inactivity (in the hair-washing department).

Also 18 inches seems a reasonable length for dreads, unlike the potential euphemistic meaning...

jon