How Do You Spell TARRED AND FEATHERED?

Pronunciation: [tˈɑːd and fˈɛðəd] (IPA)

The phrase "tarred and feathered" refers to a brutal form of punishment where an individual was coated in hot tar and then covered in feathers. The word "tarred" is pronounced /tɑrd/ with the "a" sound as in "car" and the final "ed" pronounced as /d/. "Feathered" is pronounced /ˈfɛðərd/ with the stress on the first syllable and the "th" sound as in "father". This phrase has a brutal history and has been used as a form of public punishment in various parts of the world.

TARRED AND FEATHERED Meaning and Definition

  1. Tarred and feathered is a phrase that refers to a violent form of public humiliation and punishment that was once commonly practiced. The process involves covering a person's body in hot tar, sticky black substance derived from the distillation of wood or coal, and then immediately applying feathers all over the tar-covered body. This act is typically carried out by a mob or a group of people, as a means to publicly shame and punish an individual accused of a specific wrongdoing.

    The act of tarring and feathering was popular during different periods of history, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was often used as a form of extrajudicial punishment, where the accused would be publicly paraded and subjected to this cruel treatment. The tar served as a viscous adhesive, ensuring that the feathers stuck firmly to the individual's body, significantly adding to their humiliation.

    The intention behind this punishment was to publicly shame and disgrace the individual, turning them into a social outcast or symbol of ridicule. The feathers added to the person's misery, emphasizing their humiliation and making them an object of derision and contempt in the eyes of the community.

    Although the practice of tarring and feathering is now widely considered inhumane and barbaric, it remains a historical testament to the various forms of punishment and public justice that were prevalent in the past. Today, the term "tarred and feathered" is often used metaphorically to describe situations where an individual is subjected to severe humiliation, disgrace, or public criticism.

Common Misspellings for TARRED AND FEATHERED

  • tarredandfeathered

Idioms with the word TARRED AND FEATHERED

  • be tarred and feathered To be tarred and feathered is to be publicly humiliated or punished in a severe and humiliating manner.