Chinese water torture

[Jan Ivarsson]

I've always heard "Chinese water torture" referred to as drops of water on the head of a tied-up person.
For the fans of the subject, there is an amusing little program to be had at http://www.mediaeval.nl/dripdrop.html

By the way, if one is to believe http://www.theelectricchair.com/torture.htm (water) and http://www.theelectricchair.com/watertor.htm
a similar method was employed also in the U.S. in the 19th century.

Jan Ivarsson, Sweden

----- Original Message -----
From: <EdZotti at AOL.COM>
To: <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
Sent: den 9 december 2000 00:35
Subject: Chinese water torture


> I'm researching the expression "Chinese water torture" for a newspaper
> column. I have found some discussion of "Chinese fire drill" on ADS-L and
> also at http://www.word-detective.com/back-x.html#chinese. Morris quotes Hugh
> Rawson as saying,
>
> <<"the use of the modifier "Chinese" in the derogatory sense of "confused,
> disorganized or inferior" dates back to the time of World War I and was
> largely a British invention. Other "Chinese" slurs of the day included
> "Chinese ace" (an inept aviator), "Chinese national anthem" (an explosion)
> and "Chinese puzzle" (one with no solution)."Chinese fire drill" seems to be
> one of the few (fortunately) of these phrases that have survived in popular
> usage. >>
>
> However, nothing about "Chinese water torture" (which of course does not have
> the implication of confused, disorganized or inferior). I have asked several
> native Chinese speakers and "Chinese water torture" is unknown to them. So I
> put the question before the house. Does anyone have any knowledge of the
> origin of this term, or for that matter of the practice called by that name,
> that is, torture by having water dripped on you slowly?
>
> Thanks. -Ed