Beanpole Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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beanpole

[ˈbiːn.poʊl ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

slender person

A beanpole is a tall, thin person. The term is often used informally and can carry a humorous connotation. It originated in the 19th century and is often associated with a person who is lanky and has a very slim physique. This descriptive term is also frequently used in literary contexts to characterize individuals who are notably tall and slender.

Synonyms

lanky, slender, tall.

Examples of usage

  • He looked like a beanpole next to his stocky friend.
  • The beanpole model walked gracefully down the runway.
  • In the movie, the lead character was a complete beanpole, towering over everyone.
  • She is often teased for being a beanpole, but she embraces her height.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

  • In literature and film, characters described as beanpoles often embody quirky or humorously awkward attributes, contributing to their endearing qualities.
  • Beanpole appearances have been featured in various cartoons and animations, often emphasizing their tall stature for comedic effect.

Psychology

  • Studies suggest that people often associate tallness with authority and leadership, which can affect perceptions in social interactions.
  • Tall individuals sometimes face stereotypes, leading to assumptions about their abilities or personalities, which are rooted in societal perceptions of height.

Fashion

  • The tall and slender body type often dominates runway models, influencing fashion trends and clothing design.
  • Fashion industries sometimes cater their designs to flatter taller figures, playing into the beanpole imagery in advertisements and marketing.

Botany

  • Beanpoles are used in gardening to support climbing varieties of beans, demonstrating the physical attributes of height and strength.
  • In agriculture, certain climbing plants are cultivated for their ability to grow vertically, resembling the characteristics implied by the term 'beanpole.'

Origin of 'beanpole'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'beanpole' comes from the combination of 'bean,' which refers to the tall plant, and 'pole,' meaning something long and straight.
  • The usage of 'beanpole' to describe a person dates back to the early 20th century, highlighting a visual similarity to the tall, slender plants.

The term "beanpole" has its etymological roots in the 19th century, where it was used to refer to a tall, thin plant, specifically the pole on which beans were grown. The imagery of slenderness and height was transferred to describe people who exhibit similar physical attributes. It is thought that the word draws upon the visual similarity of a tall, thin person to a bean plant that grows upright and can appear spindly. Over the years, this term has evolved into a colloquial descriptor in English, often used with a light-hearted tone. Its usage has remained in the vernacular, particularly in British English, where one might use it to affectionately describe someone with a particularly tall and slim figure.