bargepolen.
A long pole with which a barge is propelled (see also quot. 1890); frequent in colloquial phrase (and variants) I wouldn't touch him (or it) with (the end of) a bargepole, I refuse to have anything to do with him (or it).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] > avoid or shun > have nothing to do with
to avoid (also shun, etc.) like the plague1699
to steer clear of1723
I wouldn't touch it (also him, her, etc.) with a ten-foot (also forty-foot) pole1838
to have no truck with1866
to leave or let severely alone1880
I wouldn't touch him (or it) with (the end of) a bargepole1890
ice1932
1890 J. S. Farmer Slang I. 124 Barge-Pole. (Winchester College.) A large stick or thick bough, of which there was one in each fagot. Also generally used for any large piece of wood.
1893 Lady Monkswell Diary Dec. (1944) 239 It will be a long while before any political party touches Home Rule again with the end of a barge pole.
1914 H. A. Vachell Quinneys' ii. xvi. 229 If he was a fool I wouldn't touch him with a barge-pole.
1915 A. H. Gibbs Persistent Lovers li Hideous little beast! I wouldn't touch him with the end of a barge pole.
1918 Mrs. H. Ward War & Elizabeth v. 86 If he tries to leave me this funny old place..there are two can play at that game. I wouldn't touch it with a barge-pole.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1933; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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n.1890