candy striper
Noun: A candy striper is a volunteer, typically a young person, who performs non-medical tasks in a hospital. The name originates from the traditional pink-and-white striped uniforms worn by these volunteers, which resemble the pattern of a type of candy cane.
The term is used to refer to the volunteer role itself or the person performing it. It is a specific, somewhat dated term for a hospital volunteer. - She started as a candy striper when she was sixteen, which inspired her to become a nurse. - The hospital relies on candy stripers to deliver flowers and newspapers to patients.
- The role of a candy striper is often associated with providing comfort, running errands, and assisting with simple clerical duties, allowing medical staff to focus on patient care.
- While historically common, many hospitals now use more general terms like "junior volunteer" or "student volunteer," though "candy striper" remains in use to evoke a specific, traditional image of volunteer service.
- Volunteer (n): A person who freely offers to take on a task or provide a service. This is the general category to which a candy striper belongs.
- Hospital volunteer (n): A more modern and generic term for any non-paid helper in a hospital setting.
- Hospital volunteer
- Junior volunteer (specifically for younger individuals)
- Auxiliary worker (in a hospital context)
- Paid staff
- Medical professional (e.g., nurse, doctor)
The term candy striper is specific to American English and carries a nostalgic or historical connotation. Its usage has declined as volunteer programs and uniforms have modernized.
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a volunteer worker in a hospital
