The correct spelling of the term "choke pear" is actually "choke pear." The word is pronounced /tʃəʊk/ /peə/ and refers to a punishment device that was historically used to discipline misbehaving women. The device was shaped like a pear and inserted into the victim's mouth, then twisted to cause discomfort or pain. While the use of such devices is now illegal, the term choke pear is still used in historical and legal contexts to refer to these types of punishment devices.
A choke pear refers to a type of torture or punishment device used during medieval times. It was designed to cause extreme discomfort, pain or even injury to the victim. Also known as the pear of anguish or choke perry, this instrument consisted of a metal, pear-shaped container that was inserted into a person's mouth, anus, or vagina, depending on the intended use.
The choke pear typically had several segments or petals connected by a hinge mechanism. The torturer would insert the device into the desired orifice and gradually expand it by turning a screw or by other means of manipulation. As the device expanded, the victim was subjected to increasing levels of stretching, tearing, or crushing pain, depending on the location of the choke pear.
This instrument was primarily used as a punishment for crimes deemed immoral or heretical, especially in cases involving blasphemy, witchcraft, or homosexuality. The purpose of the choke pear was not only to inflict physical agony but also to humiliate, deter, or extract confessions from the victim.
Although it is disputed whether choke pears were commonly used as historical torture devices or were more often confined to the realm of imagination and folklore, their existence has been documented through accounts, illustrations, and surviving specimens in some museums. The choke pear stands as a haunting symbol of the cruelty and inhumanity that have marred human history.
The word "choke pear" originates from the Middle English term "chokper" or "choppe perre", which referred to a pear-shaped device used for punishment or torture. The term is a combination of the Middle English word "choppen", meaning "to cut", and "perre", meaning "pear". Over time, "chokper" or "choppe perre" transformed into "choke pear" to describe this instrument of punishment. The device itself consisted of a pear-shaped object, usually made of metal, with a screw mechanism. It was inserted into the mouth, anus, or vagina of the victim and then twisted or expanded by turning the screw, causing immense pain and discomfort. The term "choke pear" is also used metaphorically to describe something that is oppressive, suffocating, or restrictive.