tar and feather

tar and feather

See also: tar-and-feather

English

Alternative forms

• tar-and-feather

Verb

tar and feather (third-person singular simple present tars and feathers, present participle tarring and feathering, simple past and past participle tarred and feathered)

1. (transitive) To cover (a person) in sticky tar, then cover in feathers which stick to the tar; an archaic means of humiliating a person.
   • 1855 — George A. Smith, Journal of Discourses, Volume 3 "Preaching the Gospel"

     "O," say they, "if you talk with a Mormon Elder, you are sure to get worsted; tar and feather them, mob them, and stone them out of the country, for if you listen to them, you will be deceived."

   • 1884, Mark Twain, chapter XIX, in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn:

     ...they'd be along pretty soon and give me 'bout half an hour's start, and then run me down if they could; and if they got me they'd tar and feather me and ride me on a rail, sure. I didn't wait for no breakfast—I warn't hungry.

See also

• ride on a rail