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tied to a stick

17:48 Aug 30, 2006
This question was closed without grading. Reason: No acceptable answer

English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Art/Literary - Linguistics / forms of bondage
English term or phrase: tied to a stick
I've asked this as a Pol to Eng question but hit a blank so I thought I'd check with native speakers of English. The above Polish phrase literally means 'tied to a stick'. It comes from an interview with a Polish WW2 veteran describing his experience when captured by Ukranian soldiers. He and his companions were tied to a stick with rope, i.e. while squatting, his hands were tied to his ankles and a stick was inserted under his knees so he couldn't streach his legs without the stick digging into his arms. I hope you've got the picture.

My question is: is there a phrase in English that would counjure up this image without the need for lengthy explanations? the way 'hog-tied' does...
Joanna Carroll
United Kingdom
Local time: 22:15


SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4hog tie
PRen (X)
4torture by restraint
Will Matter


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
hog tie


Explanation:
Wikipedia has a good definition of hog tie.

PRen (X)
Local time: 17:15
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Notes to answerer
Asker: I'd searched Wikipedia and other sites but couldn't find anything remotely suitable. Perhaps there is no such phrase in English... It's not really a form of torture but a way (perhaps specific to Slavic countries) of restraining prisoners, particularly popular during wars, etc.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Will Matter: "hog tied" is generally considered to refer to arms and legs tied together (all four together) behind the back. Not exactly the same as the target term.
1 hr
  -> That's why I referred the asker to Wikipedia, which defines it more loosely, but yes, traditionally, that is what it means (also, in extreme cases, to cause suffocation)
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20 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
torture by restraint


Explanation:
One possible option. HTH.

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Note added at 1 day2 mins (2006-08-31 17:50:32 GMT)
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This was also used during the Vietnam war, especially in the POW camps (such as the infamous "Hanoi Hilton") where captured American servicemen were deliberately, routinely and methodically tortured despite the fact that it was a gross violation of both the Geneva Convention and international law. This method and others was used. Maybe if you add "Vietnam war" or "Korean war" to your Google search you can find more info. Good luck.

Will Matter
United States
Local time: 14:15
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 24
Notes to answerer
Asker: Sorry, should have said - the whole sentence is: "They tied us all >>to the stick<< and bundled into a rack wagon.

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