bearing vbl n Comb bearing stick: light pole held at an angle over the right shoulder to balance and distribute the weight of a log or beam carried on the left shoulder.
   P 245-54 ~ a stick used to bear up a load of wood when carried on the back. 1957 Daily News 24 Sep, p. 3 He will cut [fuel], haul it over the snow, then 'spell' it on his shoulder with his 'bearing' stick ... to his back door. C 71-123 When a person was carrying a turn of wood on his shoulder, if the load was too heavy on one shoulder (always his left shoulder because it was considered bad luck to carry a turn on the right shoulder) he would use a bearin' stick.

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