Impalement

Posted by GPP on August 13, 2003

In Reply to: Palestine / Philistia; 'The Pale'/ and M-W2 posted by GPP on August 13, 2003

: : : : : : The original meaning of 'pale" is a long stake or stick... think Vlad the Impaler.

By the way, Word Camel, while the term 'impalement' can mean any sort of getting badly stuck on a stick, accidental or otherwise, I believe that historically, and in connection with Vlad, it was understood to refer to a very specific form of torture wherein the victim was hoisted unclothed atop a sharpened and greased pole in a sitting position, and left to dangle there, usually not dying until the point finally pierced the heart.

• Impalement Vlad 14/August/03