Definition of the word clothes horse

The term "clothes horse" refers to a drying rack used to hang clothes after washing or ironing. The origin of the term can be traced back to the mid-19th century in England, where the phrase "clothes horse" was commonly used to refer to a wooden coal scuttle called a "horseshoe" or "horse" which was used to carry coal to the fireplace. The horseshoe shape of the coal scuttle resembled a horse's hooves, which gave it the name "horseshoe" or "horse." As coal scuttles fell out of use in the late 1800s, the term "clothes horse" came to be used as a metaphorical term to describe an object that could be used to hang clothes and clothing items, just as a horse can carry a load. Today, the term "clothes horse" is still commonly used to refer to a freestanding structure with a horizontal rod that is designed to hang clothes, usually made of wood or metal.