Meaning of jougs | Babel Free

Definitions

A chained iron collar once used in churches to expose sinners to public scorn.

Scotland, especially, historical

Equivalents

Examples

“Fornication and adultery were crimes punishable in case of confession in various ways […] standing in the jougs at the door of the kirk barefoot and in sackcloth […] Blasphemy, swearing, drunkenness, " flyting and scolding," slander, " the abuse of husbands by their wives," and other suchlike offences were punishable with exposure to public scorn in the " jougs," […] The "jougs" (from jugum, a yoke) consisted of an iron⟳ collar in two halves fastened by a clasp, and suspended by a chain about six feet from the ground, which was generally hung on the wall at the entrance gate of the Church.”

“Also attached to the pillar were the jougs - an iron⟳ collar used to immobilise petty offenders in the same way as the pillory was used in England.”

CEFR level