The guillotine was a product of the French Revolution. It was suppose to be an egalitarian method of execution. Up until then only the upper class were executed by the less painful beheading. The common fold were hanged which if not done right could be minutes of suffering as the person slowly strangled to death. Next to a firing squad the guillotine is the most humane method of execution even today.
I am against Capital punishment, even for crimes of treason, so that is why I would rather have the Reality Show Con Artist and his collaborators serve jail time instead.
“On a beautiful Sunday afternoon in the midst of the French Revolution the revolting citizens led a priest, a drunkard and an engineer to the guillotine. The priest requests face up so he will be looking towards heaven when he dies. They raise the blade of the guillotine and release it. It comes speeding down and suddenly stops just inches from his neck. The authorities take this as divine intervention and release the priest.
The drunkard comes to the guillotine next. He also decides to die face up, hoping that he will be as fortunate as the priest. They raise the blade of the guillotine and release it. It comes speeding down and suddenly stops just inches from his neck. Again, the authorities take this as a sign of divine intervention, and they release the drunkard as well.
Next is the engineer. He, too, decides to die facing up. As they slowly raise the blade of the guillotine, the engineer suddenly says, ‘Hey, I see what your problem is …’"
[Also told with an Englishman, Frenchman and a German]
The concept of tipping the beheader was that the convicted was “paying for his/her crime”. The Church permuted that into releasing the beheader from the sin of murder. It was visible token, usually held aloft, that the condemned had “paid for the execution”, and so the executioner did not have “murder in his heart”.
The remnant of that practice is found today in the statement that someone “should pay for their crime(s)”. In addition to paying the executioner, for many years it was tradition for the condemned to pay for a musician to play Amazing Grace or some such, as an indication that God had pardoned them for their sins if they truly repented for them in their last moments. Thus, the comment about “paying the piper”.
Guillotines were the first automated executioners. No special talent needed. Cleaning up the mess after a day’s work was the only reason they weren’t more popular.
GreasyOldTam 26 days ago
Are you expecting a tip?
sirbadger 26 days ago
Anybody who would volunteer to do this kind of work must be a really nice guy.
comixbomix 26 days ago
I know someone who’d appreciate your pic-a-nic basket…
Ratkin Premium Member 26 days ago
Probably no tipping for the guillotine, but the hangman would often get one in hopes he will made it painless (neck break instead of strangulation).
wallylm 26 days ago
Don’t be expecting compliments from the ones sticking out their necks.
Superfrog 26 days ago
Nobody cares about the workmanship, professional standards or the detailed planning of a job anymore. They only care about the execution.
swadeparker Premium Member 26 days ago
Any last words? Yeah, oil that blade and it’ll work much better.
hariseldon59 26 days ago
Not the time to lose one’s head. He’ll never be the head of a major corporation.
Zykoic 26 days ago
How to get ahead in government.
tudza Premium Member 26 days ago
A cutting remark. Left me speechless, and headless.
Jml58 26 days ago
Lose your head, and you lose the game.
einarbt 26 days ago
Any one interested in history might like to search for “Did You Know The Nazi’s Killed 16,000 People By Guillotine?” Sep 12, 2015 by Evette Champion
Pickled Pete 26 days ago
I’ll beheading there shortly.
PraiseofFolly 26 days ago
After working hours slice some lunch meat for the poor: One does not survive by eating cake alone!
Digital Frog 26 days ago
He’s a regular basket case
enigmamz 26 days ago
YOU took the job before finding out about the lack of pay!
Doug K 26 days ago
They get ahead by someone losing theirs.
Znox11 26 days ago
Stick them in sideways and get behind.
Brass Orchid Premium Member 26 days ago
There comes a time when you must decide, upon which side of the conflict you will reside. Body, or basket.
franki_g 26 days ago
knife work if you can get it
Gen.Flashman 26 days ago
The guillotine was a product of the French Revolution. It was suppose to be an egalitarian method of execution. Up until then only the upper class were executed by the less painful beheading. The common fold were hanged which if not done right could be minutes of suffering as the person slowly strangled to death. Next to a firing squad the guillotine is the most humane method of execution even today.
kelese 26 days ago
Hurry up! Chop! Chop!
Count Olaf Premium Member 26 days ago
Marie Antoinette’s lips were still moving on her severed head after she met her demise. Some women never know when to shut up.
Redd Panda 26 days ago
Like the handrail. Wouldn’t want the guest to stumble and fall.
Hollymartins2 26 days ago
I am against Capital punishment, even for crimes of treason, so that is why I would rather have the Reality Show Con Artist and his collaborators serve jail time instead.
dot-the-I 26 days ago
A moldy oldy -
“On a beautiful Sunday afternoon in the midst of the French Revolution the revolting citizens led a priest, a drunkard and an engineer to the guillotine. The priest requests face up so he will be looking towards heaven when he dies. They raise the blade of the guillotine and release it. It comes speeding down and suddenly stops just inches from his neck. The authorities take this as divine intervention and release the priest.
The drunkard comes to the guillotine next. He also decides to die face up, hoping that he will be as fortunate as the priest. They raise the blade of the guillotine and release it. It comes speeding down and suddenly stops just inches from his neck. Again, the authorities take this as a sign of divine intervention, and they release the drunkard as well.
Next is the engineer. He, too, decides to die facing up. As they slowly raise the blade of the guillotine, the engineer suddenly says, ‘Hey, I see what your problem is …’"
[Also told with an Englishman, Frenchman and a German]
baskate_2000 26 days ago
Unfortunately, old and stale joke have become the staff of life.
Just_Karl 26 days ago
A hot stake is better than a cold chop! (Curly Howard)
bobbyferrel 26 days ago
A tisket, a tasket.
A head in a basket.
It cannot respond to
Questions that you ask it.
mindjob 26 days ago
If their Pro Bono work wasn’t for charity, they wouldn’t need second jobs
MRBLUESKY529 26 days ago
Once there was an executioner who backed into his guillotine. He got a little behind in his work.
wildlandwaters 26 days ago
not to mention you get to keep yours!
ncorgbl 26 days ago
How far back in time do conservatives want to go?
DaBump Premium Member 26 days ago
Tough job, but somebody’s got to do it.
xSigoff Premium Member 26 days ago
Side job for lawyers.
Otis Rufus Driftwood 26 days ago
Almost everyone thinks their job is more important than it most likely it is.
raybarb44 26 days ago
I feel your pain……
Buoy 26 days ago
Still, it’s nothing to lose your head over.
ArcticFox Premium Member 26 days ago
That and getting a slice of the pie. Or making sure they get their cut.
6turtle9 26 days ago
Gallows humor.
leemorse9777 26 days ago
If beheading was still the punishment for murder, carried out within a year, shown on Pay per view, there would be less murders.
willie_mctell 26 days ago
All they’ve done for Moms for Liberty. Those librarians will never groom another kid. /s
anomaly 26 days ago
You get all that public recognition, but don’t let it go to your head.
SrTechWriter 26 days ago
The concept of tipping the beheader was that the convicted was “paying for his/her crime”. The Church permuted that into releasing the beheader from the sin of murder. It was visible token, usually held aloft, that the condemned had “paid for the execution”, and so the executioner did not have “murder in his heart”.
The remnant of that practice is found today in the statement that someone “should pay for their crime(s)”. In addition to paying the executioner, for many years it was tradition for the condemned to pay for a musician to play Amazing Grace or some such, as an indication that God had pardoned them for their sins if they truly repented for them in their last moments. Thus, the comment about “paying the piper”.
brick10 26 days ago
That reminds me of a traffic sign: STOP A HEAD
Chris Sherlock 26 days ago
In that job, heads will roll.
Slowly, he turned... 26 days ago
“If you can keep your head when all about youAre losing theirs and blaming it on you,” you have a pretty good job!
eddi-TBH 25 days ago
Guillotines were the first automated executioners. No special talent needed. Cleaning up the mess after a day’s work was the only reason they weren’t more popular.
Buckaroobanzai 25 days ago
pro bono? sure, 30 years ago, but u2’s best days are long gone
keenanthelibrarian 25 days ago
It wasn’t exactly pro bono – the victim was supposed to forgive the executioner, and give him a coin; in essence, paying him for his ‘service’.
samsoltan_48323 25 days ago
Only if they’re a moyel
lnrokr55 24 days ago
Let them eat cake !