cucking stool

[ kuhk-ing ]

noun

1. a former instrument of punishment consisting of a chair in which an offender was strapped, to be mocked and pelted or ducked in water.

cucking stool

/ ˈkʌkɪŋ /

noun

1. history a stool to which suspected witches, scolds, etc, were tied and pelted or ducked into water as a punishment Compare ducking stool

Word History and Origins

Origin of cucking stool¹

1175–1225; Middle English cucking stol, literally, defecating stool, equivalent to cucking, present participle of cukken to defecate (< Scandinavian; compare dial Swedish kukka ) + stol stool

Word History and Origins

Origin of cucking stool¹

C13 cucking stol, literally: defecating chair, from cukken to defecate; compare Old Norse kúkr excrement

Example Sentences

There was also an instrument called a cucking stool - alternatively known as a "scolding stool" or a "stool of repentance".

From BBC

In the year 1572 Kingston got a new cucking stool; the Kingston scolds had become past bearing.

From Project Gutenberg

Years ago a ducking or cucking stool was placed at the northern side of it, adjoining a pit, and at the edge of the thoroughfare known as Meadow street.

From Project Gutenberg