candy striper

See also: candystriper

English

Etymology

First appears in the US c. 1944, due to the red-and-white striped jumpers worn by hospital volunteers, which resembled stick candy (being candy-striped); originally worn by a group of high-school girls who volunteered as hospital workers at East Orange General Hospital in New Jersey.

Noun

candy striper (plural candy stripers)

1. (US) A volunteer worker in a hospital or hospice.

Related terms

• candy girl
• candy stripe