Up the pole

Posted by James Briggs on July 31, 2006

I've never really found a satisfactory origin of this mainly UK, Oz and NZ expression. It implies that someone is a bit mad/eccentric.
Personally, I feel it comes from the 1920s fashion of pole sitting; those that undertook this 'pastime' must have been a bit weird. However I've just been sent a 'I was told' type origin suggesting that it came from old fashioned mental institutions. I'm not convinced.
I can't find anything really reliable on the Net. Any ideas? - it's not in our archive.

• Up the pole ESC 31/July/06
  • Up the pole pamela 01/August/06
    • Up the pole James Briggs 01/August/06
      • Up the pole ESC 01/August/06
        • Up the pole James Briggs 02/August/06
  • Up the pole James Briggs 01/August/06

See also: the meaning and origin of 'up the pole'.