A thin, straight bar or stick, typically made of wood or metal. Can also refer to a unit of measurement or a symbol of authority.
From Old English 'rodd', related to Old Norse 'rudda' (club). The word has remained remarkably stable in form and meaning for over a thousand years, referring to straight stick-like objects.
The phrase 'spare the rod, spoil the child' shows how rods became symbols of discipline and authority throughout history. Interestingly, a rod was also a precise unit of measurement (16.5 feet), making it both a physical tool and an abstract standard!
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