A pole or stake used as a sign to indicate that ale is sold at a location, serving as a medieval pub sign.
Combines 'ale' (the beverage) with 'pole' (a stick or post). Before written signs became common, inns displayed a pole wrapped in ivy or decorated with cloth to advertise their ale.
The 'alepole' evolved into the 'alestake,' and eventually became the decorated signs and symbols outside modern pubs—one of the oldest forms of advertising!
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