skimmington

English - English

Definition of skimmington in English English dictionary

A person impersonating his/her offending spouse in a procession with the aim of ridicule; a ludicrous procession for this purpose

A cuckold

A word employed in the phrase, To ride Skimmington; that is to ride on a horse with a woman, but behind her, facing backward, carrying a distaff, and accompanied by a procession of jeering neighbors making mock music; a cavalcade in ridicule of a henpecked man

The custom was in vogue in parts of England