The term 'steeple topper, often' is a combination of two words: 'CROSS' and 'VANE'. A CROSS is a religious symbol that is typically placed at the top of a steeple, while a VANE is a weather-VANE shaped like an arrow or other object that is used to indicate wind direction. Together, these two words form the job description of a steeple topper, often referred to as a weathercock, which is a device used to indicate the direction of the wind at the top of a church steeple.