candy striper

See also: candystriper

English

Etymology

First appears in the US c. 1944, due to the red-and-white striped jumpers worn by hospital volunteers, which resembled stick candy, originally by a group of high-school girls who volunteered as hospital workers at East Orange General Hospital.

Noun

candy striper (plural candy stripers)

1. (US) A volunteer worker in a hospital or hospice.

See also

• candy stripe