curlicue

 
Pronunciation: /ˈkəːlɪkjuː/

noun

  • a decorative curl or twist in calligraphy or in the design of an object: the wide bridge was decorated with gilded wrought-iron curlicues

Origin:

mid 19th century: from curly + cue2 (in the sense 'pigtail'), or -cue representing the letter q