What does clotheshorse mean?
A clothes horse is a versatile term that can refer to either a physical object or a person. As an object, it is a stand or rack used for hanging clothes to dry or air, commonly found in laundry rooms or backyards. As a person, a clothes horse is someone who is used to display or model clothes, often a fashion model or a person with a stylish sense of dress. The term is widely used in both British and US English, and its meaning is generally well-understood in context. Understanding the dual nature of the term can help users communicate more effectively and accurately.
A rack or stand for hanging clothes
"The clothes horse in the laundry room was very useful."
A person used to display clothes
"The supermodel was a clothes horse for the famous designer's new collection."
The plural form 'clotheshorses' is used when referring to multiple racks or stands, or multiple people used to display clothes.
"The laundry room had several clothes horses for drying clothes."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of clotheshorse
The term 'clothes horse' originated in the late 18th century, when it referred to a wooden horse-like structure used for drying clothes. Over time, the term took on a figurative meaning, referring to a person who was used to display or model clothes.
Usage notes
The term 'clothes horse' can be used in both a literal and figurative sense. In the literal sense, it refers to a physical object used for drying or displaying clothes. In the figurative sense, it refers to a person who is used to showcase or model clothes.