Bankruptcy barrel

Shanty float with foot contingent wearing bankruptcy barrels for a Great Depression themed parade entry

The bankruptcy barrel is a visual symbol, primarily of the 20th century, used in cartoons and other media as a token of destitution. Not intended to be realistic, it consists of a suit made of only a wooden barrel held on by suspenders, indicating that the subject is so poor that he is unable to afford even clothes. It was a common representation of extreme poverty, appearing in many animated shorts, political cartoons, comedies,[1] and other media.[2]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Knipfel was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference TVTropes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).