Slippering (punishment)
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A slippering is a metonymical term for the act of smacking the buttocks, or the hands, with a slipper as a form of corporal punishment. A slippering on the buttocks is a form of spanking; it is a much more common method than slippering on the hands. The verb 'to slipper' means 'to give a slippering'. Slippering is used in three contexts: domestic punishment, school punishment, and erotic spanking. This article is only concerned with domestic and school punishments. There are very little data, research or evidence about the use of slippering. Information is mainly based on anecdotal reports from individuals who have given, received, or observed slipperings, or who have been in households or schools where slipperings were used. Slipperings are particularly associated with Britain and Commonwealth countries, although not exclusively so. In a sense this article is of historical interest only, as slippering is probably approaching extinction.
[edit] School slippering
The slipper was a common implement for administering corporal punishment in schools for students of both genders and all ages. In schools that used the cane as the ultimate penalty, the slipper was a less severe alternative for punishing less serious misconduct than warranted the cane. 'Slipper' is a misnomer, as the usual item of footwear was the plimsoll, or gymshoe, with a fabric upper and a heavy rubber or synthetic sole. This could deliver a very painful stroke, depending on the force with which it was used, and the flexability of the particular slipper; a well-worn, flexable slipper imparting far more sting than one that was new and fairly stiff. Students who committed minor classroom offences - talking or disruption, for example - could be punished in the classroom by the class teacher. Typically this would involve two or three fairly light swats with the student standing and leaning forward, possibly with hands on knees. This also served to demonstrate to the class that such behaviour would not be tolerated. For students who committed serious offences, slipperings were carried out in a private office by the Principal or by a senior teacher of the same gender as the student. Typically the student was required to bend over a desk or chair. Between three and six strokes of the slipper would be given. All forms of corporal punishment were banned in all schools in the UK in the early 1990s, and it has also been banned in schools worldwide, with the exception of 23 states[citation needed] in the USA (where the paddle is used, not the slipper).
[edit] Domestic slippering
A hand has been the most common method of spanking in domestic contexts. The second most common method in British and Commonwealth countries has probably been the slipper. In other countries it has been used, but it is less popular. The slipper is typically a standard carpet slipper which is worn indoors. Types of slipper include those with fabric uppers or leather uppers, and with synthetic soles, or leather soles. The severity of a slippering depends on the force with which the slipper is applied, the number of strokes, the clothing of the buttocks, and the slipper itself (more severe with a heavier, large-sized slipper which has a fairly stiff leather sole). The slipper is gripped at the heel end. Slipperings are certainly not suitable for the young. A slippering is usually regarded as a formal corporal punishment for serious misconduct. As such, it is usually carried out in private with a preliminary talk about the misconduct and the consequences. Typically the number of strokes will be in the range of one to six. The slipper can be administered in the so-called traditional over knee position or in a supported position such as over an item of furniture (bed, chair). Domestic slipperings are not always given on clothed buttocks. All corporal punishment has been banned in most European countries.[citation needed] In other countries parents are permitted to administer 'reasonable chastisement'; although this has not been tested legally, it seems highly likely that this definition excludes slippering. Although there are no data to confirm this, it seems likely that domestic slippering is no longer used.
Slippering has also been applied as an informal military spanking by a soldier's comrades, notably in France under the name Savate (meaning footwear, homonymous with French kickboxing).
The analogous word booting (irrespective of the type of footwear) is rather used for physical discipline given 'hands free' with the boot (or other footwear) on the discipliner's foot, so the punishee usually is to submit to the punishment (generally on the posterior) in a low position. The humilitation is still increased if (s)he must do so over the knee, on all fours, kneeling or crawling, or by wearing demeaning dress, only underwear or even bare-bottomed.
Feeling the boots of the lined-up crew has also been used as a naval variation of running the gauntlet, less painful than a whipping (on the back, e.g. with knotted cords) but rather more humiliating.
