Laughing Stocks

[Dr. Bill Kobb]

Does the term "laughing stock" come from centuries ago, when people might be punished by being locked into wooden stocks in the center square of the village for a day? I mean, it's possible, isn't it? I imagine if someone were ticklish, they could be put through all kinds of grief being stuck like that for a day.

I know the term probably just refers to the idea of someone being so foolish that they are good stock for jokes, but how great if it instead referred to the dreaded stocks of yore?

 

[Hyena]

Historically speaking, that's precisely one of the things that happened to people in the stocks. Along with having rotten food pitched at their faces, of course. I was reading an article about it because I'm an exceptionally boring nerd.

 

[Dr. Bill Kobb]

How awful would it be to be trapped like that...and tickled ALL-DAY-LONG! I could see somebody just laughing helplessly in the stocks being the "laughing stock" of the town. Maybe?

 

[Hyena]

I can say with certainty that despite the allure of being tickle-tortured, I would definitely not want to end up in one of those things.

 

[Ticklish&InLove]

I can say with certainty that despite the allure of being tickle-tortured, I would definitely not want to end up in one of those things.

Agreed....although the modern day version they do in Italy at their Renfair festivals looks like fun!:blush

 

[Hyena]

If I weren't so averse to exhibitionism, I'd volunteer for a 12-hour shift in one of those.

 

[Ticklish&InLove]

If I weren't so averse to exhibitionism, I'd volunteer for a 12-hour shift in one of those.

Agreed...if only they offered "private" sessions!😉