To "give the third degree" refers to an interrogation technique characterized by intense questioning and the application of pressure to extract information or force a confession. The phrase originates from the practice of police officers asking a series of progressively more intrusive questions during a police investigation, with each level of questioning considered to be more intense than the previous.
When someone is subjected to the third degree, they are subjected to a rigorous and relentless line of questioning, often employing aggressive tactics, coercion, or intimidation. The objective is to extract valuable information or establish guilt by breaking down the person's defenses or getting them to reveal hidden details. The questions typically explore various angles, inconsistencies, or unexplained elements of a situation, aiming to expose any contradictions or lies.
The process of giving the third degree can be both physical and psychological, involving prolonged and repetitive questioning, verbal intimidation, and various tactics aimed at unsettling the individual. These can include yelling, accusing, manipulating emotions, or even physical discomfort. The intention behind giving the third degree is to create a sense of vulnerability and pressure, pushing the subject to the brink, and ultimately obtaining the desired information.
While the term primarily gained prominence in police investigations, it has since expanded to encompass any intense or persistent questioning that is designed to extract information or obtain a confession, irrespective of the person's involvement in a legal matter.
