barber's sign

English

Pronunciation

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Noun

barber's sign (plural barbers' signs)

1. (archaic, idiomatic) A standing pole and two wash-balls, historically used outside barber's shops.

References

[Francis] Grose [et al.] (1811) “Barber's sign”, in Lexicon Balatronicum. A Dictionary of Buckish Slang, University Wit, and Pickpocket Eloquence. […], London: […] C. Chappell, […], →OCLC.