ugly sticks

Noun

ugly stick (plural ugly sticks)

1. (Canada) A traditional Newfoundland musical instrument fashioned from household and toolshed items, typically a mop handle attached with bottle caps, small bells, tin cans, etc., which are struck with a drumstick while one end of the handle is hit against the floor.
   • You may also find an authentic ugly stick. It's masterfully constructed with beer stoppers, duct tape, a tobacco can, and a few pieces of wood. It just is…1988 June 17, Stephen Day, “Folk Music Revived at Bridgett’s”, in The Muse, volume 38, number 23, St. John’s, N.L.: Council of the Students Union, Memorial University of Newfoundland, →ISSN, →OCLC...
2. (US, humorous, slang) A notional stick with which unattractive people are said to have been hit, causing them to become ugly.
   • Signifying is a way of saying the truth that hurts with a laugh, a way of capping on (shutting up) someone. Getting even talking bout people's mammas & such. It's a love/hate exercise in exorcising one's hostilities. It's a funny way of saying something negative that is obviously untrue like: "you...1969 September, Carolyn M[arie] Rodgers, “Black Poetry—Where It’s At”, in John H[arold] Johnson, editor, Negro Digest, volume XVIII, number 11, Chicago, Ill.: Johnson Publishing Company, →OCLC, pages...