tar and feather

Colonial vigilante justice

Tar and feather is a punishment or mob justice ritual in which hot tar is poured over a victim and feathers pressed into it before parading them publicly.

The practice was common in 18th-century America against loyalists and other unpopular figures.

Now mostly figurative: The press tarred and feathered the mayor over the scandal.

To be tarred and feathered is to be publicly humiliated or vilified.

punishment

vigilantism

Extralegal enforcement by civilians

extrajudicialOutside court authority
lynchingExtrajudicial killing by mob
humiliationLoss of dignity

retribution · stocks · pillory · parading · stripping · degradation · ostracism · banishment · spectacle · disgrace

historical

colonial

Of occupied territories

frontierEdge of settlement
settlersThose who establish homes
ToryBritish right-wing partisan

revolutionary · patriot · outlaw · deserter · collaborator · traitor · informer

mob

crowd

Large public gathering

vigilanteExtralegal justice-seeker
posseArmed group pursuing fugitives
townspeopleMunicipal area inhabitants

riot · frenzy · torches · gang · horde · throng · uprising · unrest · lawlessness · scapegoat

figurative

vilify

Attack someone's reputation

denouncePublicly declare wrongdoing
condemnDeclare wrong or guilty
pilloryPublic punishment restraint

shame · attack · expose · cancel · smear · scapegoat · crucify · savage · criticize · demonize

materials

barrel

Hooped cylindrical vessel

bucketOpen-top carrying vessel
cauldronLarge metal cooking pot
heatedWarmed or passionate

molten · sticky · coating · burns · painful · stripping · cart · rail

tar and feather

vigilantism

colonial

crowd

vilify

barrel

tar and feather

Opposites

Categories

Family