Category:Skimmington

Skim"ming*ton, n. Etym: [etymol. uncertain. Perhaps the name of some Notorius scold.]

Defn: 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.