Meaning
A rod or stick — a fishing rod, a stirring stick, or a straight length of wood or metal. In Rastafari and biblical language, 'the rod' can mean authority, correction, or guidance ('rod of correction'). Note that in vulgar slang 'rod' can also be a coarse word for the penis, so context matters.
Examples
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Him gaan a river wid him rod fi catch fish.
He went to the river with his rod to catch fish.
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Spare di rod, spoil di child.
Spare the rod, spoil the child.
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Use a rod fi stir di big pot.
Use a stick to stir the big pot.
Origin
From 'rod' (a stick/staff); the 'authority/correction' sense is biblical, and there is a separate vulgar slang sense (penis).
How it’s used
A stick/fishing rod; also biblical 'rod of correction'. A separate vulgar sense (penis) exists — context decides.