barber pole

or barber's pole

noun

1. a pole with red and white spiral stripes symbolizing the barber's former sideline of surgery.

Word History and Origins

Origin of barber pole¹

First recorded in 1675–85

Example Sentences

So he laid aside his valise and barber-pole crutch and got ready to go down in the hole, which wasn't very big.

From Project Gutenberg

"I will," said the rabbit, and then he hopped on with his valise and his red-white-and-blue-striped-barber-pole crutch.

From Project Gutenberg

But Uncle Wiggily hit the bad bird with his barber-pole crutch, and the hawk flew away, flopping his wings and tail.

From Project Gutenberg

Almost at the end of the next block there was a barber-pole with its stripes running round.

From Project Gutenberg

The world swam round so that Charles was minded to clutch the barber-pole, but he bethought himself in time that it was dusty.

From Project Gutenberg