Pointer (rod)

For the electronic counterpart, see Laser pointer. For a computer input device with the same name, see Pointing stick. For all other uses of the term, see Pointer.

A pointer or pointing stick is a solid rod used to point manually, in the form of a stick, but always finished off or artificially produced.

Robert McNamara points at a Vietnam map using a pointing stick.

The typical pointer is simply a long, slender, often flexible stick made in a strong material, designed to indicate places on maps, words on blackboards etc. In addition it may be used like any ordinary stick for other purposes, e.g. for punitive caning (compare rulering).

Some are telescopic and can be carried in a pocket like a pen.

See also

• Fescue – a pointer used to help children learn to read
• Yad – a Jewish ritual pointer used during the Torah reading