hod

Hod is a traditional hand tool used in masonry to transport bricks or mortar to the work area. It consists of a trough-shaped container, usually made of wood and sometimes lined with metal, that is carried on the shoulder by a crossbar or yoke. A brick hod is typically longer and shallower to hold a row of bricks, while a mortar hod is shorter and used to carry mortar or cement to the mason.

The brick hod is loaded at a stockpile or wagon and carried along the wall as bricks are laid. As the mason advances, bricks are slid from the hod into place, reducing trips to the stockpile. A mortar hod or a separate trough for mortar may be carried in the same workflow or by a helper, allowing the mason to continue laying bricks with a steady supply of mortar. Modern hods may be made from wood with metal reinforcement or be entirely metal for durability, and some designs emphasize ergonomic handles and balanced weight distribution.

The term hod is typically associated with bricklaying in British and Commonwealth contexts, but similar containers exist in many construction traditions. The exact origin of the word is uncertain, though it has appeared in English for several centuries and is now primarily recognized as the name for the masonry carrying trough.

In broader usage, HOD is also an acronym for Head of Department in organizations and academic settings. Hod can also appear as a surname or given name in various cultures.