"The third degree"

Posted by Bruce Kahl on February 18, 2006

In Reply to: "The third degree" posted by simon kirke on February 17, 2006

: Does anyone know the origin of the phrase
: "The third degree"

The phrase means an intense interrogation, usually by the police.

I am not 100% on this but I always thought the phrase referred to the third degree ceremony of Free Masons.

The third degree is the highest of all the degrees or levels of membership in masonry.

The third degree ceremony consists of an interrogation of how well you know your mysticism.

• "The third degree" Smokey Stover 18/February/06