barber pole

1 definition found

barber pole - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  barber pole \barber pole\, barbers pole \barbers pole\n.
     a pole with red and white spiral stripes; -- usually found
     outside a barbershop.
  
     Note: It is often electrically powered, so as to be turning
           when the barbershop is open for business and stationary
           when the shop is closed. It symbolizes the practise of
           surgery, some aspects of which which used to be
           performed by barbers.
           [PJC]