The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 12.1878  Friday, 27 July 2001

[1]     From:   Stevie Gamble <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
        Date:   Thursday, 26 Jul 2001 11:24:58 EDT
        Subj:   Re: SHK 12.1868 Re: Down at the Heel

[2]     From:   Karen Peterson-Kranz <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
        Date:   Thursday, 26 Jul 2001 08:52:03 -0700 (PDT)
        Subj:   Re: SHK 12.1868 Re: Down at the Heel

[3]     From:   Don Bloom <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
        Date:   Thursday, 26 Jul 2001 13:47:13 -0500
        Subj:   Re: SHK 12.1868 Re: Down at the Heel


[1]-----------------------------------------------------------------
From:           Stevie Gamble <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date:           Thursday, 26 Jul 2001 11:24:58 EDT
Subject: 12.1868 Re: Down at the Heel
Comment:        Re: SHK 12.1868 Re: Down at the Heel

>  >Looking at the pictures of the old crook's body being displayed, I would
>  >say "by the ankles" were \I a pedant.
>
>  So would I; but the idiom is "by the heels."  I have never figured out
>  how that can actually be done.

I think that the process involved driving spikes through the heels
themselves; you might like to look at Homer for a heart-rending
variation on that theme. The question has particular resonance for me,
since I have been inadvertently spiking myself rather a lot on all these
costumes...

Best wishes,
Stevie Gamble

[2]-------------------------------------------------------------
From:           Karen Peterson-Kranz <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date:           Thursday, 26 Jul 2001 08:52:03 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: 12.1868 Re: Down at the Heel
Comment:        Re: SHK 12.1868 Re: Down at the Heel

> >Looking at the pictures of the old crook's body
> being displayed, I would
> >say "by the ankles" were \I a pedant.
>
> So would I; but the idiom is "by the heels."  I have
> never figured out
> how that can actually be done.

I cannot remember who told me this, or in what source I may have found
it, but I have a distinct memory of learning at one time that "hanging
by the heels" was yet another wonderful innovation in torture: one used
something like a meathook, through/under the Achilles tendons, and thus
the task is accomplished.

As mentioned, I have no citation.  I don't *think* I'm imagining this.
At least I hope I'm not.

Frightening the horses,
Karen

[3]-------------------------------------------------------------
From:           Don Bloom <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date:           Thursday, 26 Jul 2001 13:47:13 -0500
Subject: 12.1868 Re: Down at the Heel
Comment:        Re: SHK 12.1868 Re: Down at the Heel

 Harry G. Rusche confesses,

>I am a pedant.  We old-timers still use "hang/hanged/hanged."  "Hung" we
>reserve for other uses and meanings.

True, but as Feste notes, "He that is well-hanged in this world need
fear no colors." And just to make sure we didn't miss the joke, he
suggests that it "prevents a bad marriage."

In both senses, I suppose.

Cheers,
don

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