What word do these all have in common? Ballet dancers, lawyers, and the Mayflower?

This common link is a versatile word with roots in physical barriers. For a ballet dancer, it's the stationary handrail, spelled "barre," used for support during warm-up exercises. For a lawyer, it refers to the legal profession as a whole, a term originating from the physical railing or "bar" that once separated the public from the judges in a courtroom. To practice law, one must be admitted to the bar by passing the bar examination.

The connection to the Mayflower is a nautical one. In November 1620, as the historic ship approached its intended destination, it encountered the treacherous shoals and sandbars of Pollock Rip, off the coast of Cape Cod. This dangerous underwater ridge, a type of bar, nearly wrecked the vessel. The perilous encounter forced the Pilgrims to turn back and anchor in what is now Provincetown Harbor, altering the course of their settlement and American history.

From the courtroom to the dance studio to the high seas, this single word demonstrates the fascinating evolution of language. The core idea of a long, rigid object or a barrier has been adapted over centuries to fit vastly different professional and geographical contexts, tying together these seemingly unrelated subjects.