What is a spanking machine?
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This is a conversation from the movie The Game (1997) (starting from about 11:00) starring Michael Douglas. Urban Dictionary suggests a spanking machine is when it is a child's birthday, that child gets spanked by other children. But there is no explanation as to why on Urban Dictionary. What is a spanking machine? And why do you have to be spanked on your birthday? And what does it mean here in the movie?
Elizabeth: Have you had a nice birthday?
Nick: Does Rose Kennedy have a black dress? I went, not once, but twice through the spanking machine.
meaning meaning-in-context phrase-meaning
edited 2 hours ago
jwodder
13514
asked 9 hours ago
L. Moneta
2,59121236
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
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This is a conversation from the movie The Game (1997) (starting from about 11:00) starring Michael Douglas. Urban Dictionary suggests a spanking machine is when it is a child's birthday, that child gets spanked by other children. But there is no explanation as to why on Urban Dictionary. What is a spanking machine? And why do you have to be spanked on your birthday? And what does it mean here in the movie?
Elizabeth: Have you had a nice birthday?
Nick: Does Rose Kennedy have a black dress? I went, not once, but twice through the spanking machine.
meaning meaning-in-context phrase-meaning
edited 2 hours ago
jwodder
13514
asked 9 hours ago
L. Moneta
2,59121236
2
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it isn't about the English language per se.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
8 hours ago
2
@Tᴚoɯɐuo I think J.R.'s excellent answer demonstrates that there is indeed an element of usage/meaning here, and the question therefore makes a useful contribution to ELL's library of detailed answers for those learning English. It's not just about explaining the social custom, it's about how the word "machine" can be used metaphorically.
– Chappo
4 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
This is a conversation from the movie The Game (1997) (starting from about 11:00) starring Michael Douglas. Urban Dictionary suggests a spanking machine is when it is a child's birthday, that child gets spanked by other children. But there is no explanation as to why on Urban Dictionary. What is a spanking machine? And why do you have to be spanked on your birthday? And what does it mean here in the movie?
Elizabeth: Have you had a nice birthday?
Nick: Does Rose Kennedy have a black dress? I went, not once, but twice through the spanking machine.
meaning meaning-in-context phrase-meaning
edited 2 hours ago
jwodder
13514
asked 9 hours ago
L. Moneta
2,59121236
This is a conversation from the movie The Game (1997) (starting from about 11:00) starring Michael Douglas. Urban Dictionary suggests a spanking machine is when it is a child's birthday, that child gets spanked by other children. But there is no explanation as to why on Urban Dictionary. What is a spanking machine? And why do you have to be spanked on your birthday? And what does it mean here in the movie?
Elizabeth: Have you had a nice birthday?
Nick: Does Rose Kennedy have a black dress? I went, not once, but twice through the spanking machine.
meaning meaning-in-context phrase-meaning
meaning meaning-in-context phrase-meaning
edited 2 hours ago
jwodder
13514
asked 9 hours ago
L. Moneta
2,59121236
edited 2 hours ago
jwodder
13514
asked 9 hours ago
L. Moneta
2,59121236
edited 2 hours ago
jwodder
13514
edited 2 hours ago
jwodder
13514
edited 2 hours ago
jwodder
13514
13514
asked 9 hours ago
L. Moneta
2,59121236
asked 9 hours ago
L. Moneta
2,59121236
asked 9 hours ago
L. Moneta
2,59121236
2,59121236
2
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it isn't about the English language per se.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
8 hours ago
2
@Tᴚoɯɐuo I think J.R.'s excellent answer demonstrates that there is indeed an element of usage/meaning here, and the question therefore makes a useful contribution to ELL's library of detailed answers for those learning English. It's not just about explaining the social custom, it's about how the word "machine" can be used metaphorically.
– Chappo
4 hours ago
add a comment |
2
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it isn't about the English language per se.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
8 hours ago
2
@Tᴚoɯɐuo I think J.R.'s excellent answer demonstrates that there is indeed an element of usage/meaning here, and the question therefore makes a useful contribution to ELL's library of detailed answers for those learning English. It's not just about explaining the social custom, it's about how the word "machine" can be used metaphorically.
– Chappo
4 hours ago
2
2
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it isn't about the English language per se.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
8 hours ago
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it isn't about the English language per se.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
8 hours ago
2
2
@Tᴚoɯɐuo I think J.R.'s excellent answer demonstrates that there is indeed an element of usage/meaning here, and the question therefore makes a useful contribution to ELL's library of detailed answers for those learning English. It's not just about explaining the social custom, it's about how the word "machine" can be used metaphorically.
– Chappo
4 hours ago
@Tᴚoɯɐuo I think J.R.'s excellent answer demonstrates that there is indeed an element of usage/meaning here, and the question therefore makes a useful contribution to ELL's library of detailed answers for those learning English. It's not just about explaining the social custom, it's about how the word "machine" can be used metaphorically.
– Chappo
4 hours ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
It is a tradition in some countries to playfully spank someone on their birthday, once for each year in the new age. (In other words, a 12-year-old would be spanked 12 times.)
In my experience, this gets talked about more than it actually gets done. People might tease about it, but not everyone gets smacked on the bottom just because it's their birthday. And, even if people have gotten spanked, I imagine the tradition is trending downward.
As for the term in this passage, spanking machine, as others have mentioned in comments, it's not a commonly-used term. However, I think its meaning can be deduced. One person might strike someone repeatedly in a mechanical way, or a group of partygoers might take turns in a rhythmic fashion. Either one of these could turn the spanker(s) into a spanking machine.
One example of a related tradition is found in the Wikipedia article for running the gauntlet:
The original meanings of the phrase notwithstanding, the expression (to run) the gauntlet has been applied to various less severe punishments or tests, often consisting of consecutive blows or tasks endured sequentially and delivered collectively, especially by colleagues such as roommates or fraternity brothers. As these do not usually cause serious injuries, only bearable pain, the rituals are sometimes eagerly anticipated by the initiate as a sign of acceptance into a more prestigious group.
The phrase running the gauntlet has also been used, informally, to express the idea of a public but painless, ritual humiliation such as the walk of shame or perp walk, or to indicate a series of difficult trials that one must overcome.
It's meant to be playful fun, but could easily get out of hand and cross the boundaries of civility, politeness, and appropriateness.
It's also worth noting that the word machine can also be used figuratively and applied to people. For example, in a recent headline, hockey player Patrick Laine was called a "goal scoring machine" after scoring 76 goals while still being under the age of 20. In a 2017 article, baseball slugger Aaron Judge was said to be "more than just a home run machine." The word can be used to describe an organization as well. One business article states:
The number of lawsuits filed by NCT has become a national phenomena with one Businessweek reporter describing NCT as a “lawsuit machine,” filing more than one lawsuit per day in some states.
In a similar way, people dishing out birthday spankings could be said to be a "spanking machine."
answered 7 hours ago
J.R.♦
96.9k8126242
2
+1 for explaining that it's often more teasing than hitting.
– ColleenV♦
6 hours ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
It is a tradition in some countries to playfully spank someone on their birthday, once for each year in the new age. (In other words, a 12-year-old would be spanked 12 times.)
In my experience, this gets talked about more than it actually gets done. People might tease about it, but not everyone gets smacked on the bottom just because it's their birthday. And, even if people have gotten spanked, I imagine the tradition is trending downward.
As for the term in this passage, spanking machine, as others have mentioned in comments, it's not a commonly-used term. However, I think its meaning can be deduced. One person might strike someone repeatedly in a mechanical way, or a group of partygoers might take turns in a rhythmic fashion. Either one of these could turn the spanker(s) into a spanking machine.
One example of a related tradition is found in the Wikipedia article for running the gauntlet:
The original meanings of the phrase notwithstanding, the expression (to run) the gauntlet has been applied to various less severe punishments or tests, often consisting of consecutive blows or tasks endured sequentially and delivered collectively, especially by colleagues such as roommates or fraternity brothers. As these do not usually cause serious injuries, only bearable pain, the rituals are sometimes eagerly anticipated by the initiate as a sign of acceptance into a more prestigious group.
The phrase running the gauntlet has also been used, informally, to express the idea of a public but painless, ritual humiliation such as the walk of shame or perp walk, or to indicate a series of difficult trials that one must overcome.
It's meant to be playful fun, but could easily get out of hand and cross the boundaries of civility, politeness, and appropriateness.
It's also worth noting that the word machine can also be used figuratively and applied to people. For example, in a recent headline, hockey player Patrick Laine was called a "goal scoring machine" after scoring 76 goals while still being under the age of 20. In a 2017 article, baseball slugger Aaron Judge was said to be "more than just a home run machine." The word can be used to describe an organization as well. One business article states:
The number of lawsuits filed by NCT has become a national phenomena with one Businessweek reporter describing NCT as a “lawsuit machine,” filing more than one lawsuit per day in some states.
In a similar way, people dishing out birthday spankings could be said to be a "spanking machine."
answered 7 hours ago
J.R.♦
96.9k8126242
2
+1 for explaining that it's often more teasing than hitting.
– ColleenV♦
6 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
It is a tradition in some countries to playfully spank someone on their birthday, once for each year in the new age. (In other words, a 12-year-old would be spanked 12 times.)
In my experience, this gets talked about more than it actually gets done. People might tease about it, but not everyone gets smacked on the bottom just because it's their birthday. And, even if people have gotten spanked, I imagine the tradition is trending downward.
As for the term in this passage, spanking machine, as others have mentioned in comments, it's not a commonly-used term. However, I think its meaning can be deduced. One person might strike someone repeatedly in a mechanical way, or a group of partygoers might take turns in a rhythmic fashion. Either one of these could turn the spanker(s) into a spanking machine.
One example of a related tradition is found in the Wikipedia article for running the gauntlet:
The original meanings of the phrase notwithstanding, the expression (to run) the gauntlet has been applied to various less severe punishments or tests, often consisting of consecutive blows or tasks endured sequentially and delivered collectively, especially by colleagues such as roommates or fraternity brothers. As these do not usually cause serious injuries, only bearable pain, the rituals are sometimes eagerly anticipated by the initiate as a sign of acceptance into a more prestigious group.
The phrase running the gauntlet has also been used, informally, to express the idea of a public but painless, ritual humiliation such as the walk of shame or perp walk, or to indicate a series of difficult trials that one must overcome.
It's meant to be playful fun, but could easily get out of hand and cross the boundaries of civility, politeness, and appropriateness.
It's also worth noting that the word machine can also be used figuratively and applied to people. For example, in a recent headline, hockey player Patrick Laine was called a "goal scoring machine" after scoring 76 goals while still being under the age of 20. In a 2017 article, baseball slugger Aaron Judge was said to be "more than just a home run machine." The word can be used to describe an organization as well. One business article states:
The number of lawsuits filed by NCT has become a national phenomena with one Businessweek reporter describing NCT as a “lawsuit machine,” filing more than one lawsuit per day in some states.
In a similar way, people dishing out birthday spankings could be said to be a "spanking machine."
answered 7 hours ago
J.R.♦
96.9k8126242
2
+1 for explaining that it's often more teasing than hitting.
– ColleenV♦
6 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
It is a tradition in some countries to playfully spank someone on their birthday, once for each year in the new age. (In other words, a 12-year-old would be spanked 12 times.)
In my experience, this gets talked about more than it actually gets done. People might tease about it, but not everyone gets smacked on the bottom just because it's their birthday. And, even if people have gotten spanked, I imagine the tradition is trending downward.
As for the term in this passage, spanking machine, as others have mentioned in comments, it's not a commonly-used term. However, I think its meaning can be deduced. One person might strike someone repeatedly in a mechanical way, or a group of partygoers might take turns in a rhythmic fashion. Either one of these could turn the spanker(s) into a spanking machine.
One example of a related tradition is found in the Wikipedia article for running the gauntlet:
The original meanings of the phrase notwithstanding, the expression (to run) the gauntlet has been applied to various less severe punishments or tests, often consisting of consecutive blows or tasks endured sequentially and delivered collectively, especially by colleagues such as roommates or fraternity brothers. As these do not usually cause serious injuries, only bearable pain, the rituals are sometimes eagerly anticipated by the initiate as a sign of acceptance into a more prestigious group.
The phrase running the gauntlet has also been used, informally, to express the idea of a public but painless, ritual humiliation such as the walk of shame or perp walk, or to indicate a series of difficult trials that one must overcome.
It's meant to be playful fun, but could easily get out of hand and cross the boundaries of civility, politeness, and appropriateness.
It's also worth noting that the word machine can also be used figuratively and applied to people. For example, in a recent headline, hockey player Patrick Laine was called a "goal scoring machine" after scoring 76 goals while still being under the age of 20. In a 2017 article, baseball slugger Aaron Judge was said to be "more than just a home run machine." The word can be used to describe an organization as well. One business article states:
The number of lawsuits filed by NCT has become a national phenomena with one Businessweek reporter describing NCT as a “lawsuit machine,” filing more than one lawsuit per day in some states.
In a similar way, people dishing out birthday spankings could be said to be a "spanking machine."
answered 7 hours ago
J.R.♦
96.9k8126242
It is a tradition in some countries to playfully spank someone on their birthday, once for each year in the new age. (In other words, a 12-year-old would be spanked 12 times.)
In my experience, this gets talked about more than it actually gets done. People might tease about it, but not everyone gets smacked on the bottom just because it's their birthday. And, even if people have gotten spanked, I imagine the tradition is trending downward.
As for the term in this passage, spanking machine, as others have mentioned in comments, it's not a commonly-used term. However, I think its meaning can be deduced. One person might strike someone repeatedly in a mechanical way, or a group of partygoers might take turns in a rhythmic fashion. Either one of these could turn the spanker(s) into a spanking machine.
One example of a related tradition is found in the Wikipedia article for running the gauntlet:
The original meanings of the phrase notwithstanding, the expression (to run) the gauntlet has been applied to various less severe punishments or tests, often consisting of consecutive blows or tasks endured sequentially and delivered collectively, especially by colleagues such as roommates or fraternity brothers. As these do not usually cause serious injuries, only bearable pain, the rituals are sometimes eagerly anticipated by the initiate as a sign of acceptance into a more prestigious group.
The phrase running the gauntlet has also been used, informally, to express the idea of a public but painless, ritual humiliation such as the walk of shame or perp walk, or to indicate a series of difficult trials that one must overcome.
It's meant to be playful fun, but could easily get out of hand and cross the boundaries of civility, politeness, and appropriateness.
It's also worth noting that the word machine can also be used figuratively and applied to people. For example, in a recent headline, hockey player Patrick Laine was called a "goal scoring machine" after scoring 76 goals while still being under the age of 20. In a 2017 article, baseball slugger Aaron Judge was said to be "more than just a home run machine." The word can be used to describe an organization as well. One business article states:
The number of lawsuits filed by NCT has become a national phenomena with one Businessweek reporter describing NCT as a “lawsuit machine,” filing more than one lawsuit per day in some states.
In a similar way, people dishing out birthday spankings could be said to be a "spanking machine."
answered 7 hours ago
J.R.♦
96.9k8126242
edited 4 hours ago
answered 7 hours ago
J.R.♦
96.9k8126242
answered 7 hours ago
J.R.♦
96.9k8126242
answered 7 hours ago
J.R.♦
96.9k8126242
96.9k8126242
2
+1 for explaining that it's often more teasing than hitting.
– ColleenV♦
6 hours ago
add a comment |
2
+1 for explaining that it's often more teasing than hitting.
– ColleenV♦
6 hours ago
2
2
+1 for explaining that it's often more teasing than hitting.
– ColleenV♦
6 hours ago
+1 for explaining that it's often more teasing than hitting.
– ColleenV♦
6 hours ago
add a comment |
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2
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it isn't about the English language per se.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
8 hours ago
2
@Tᴚoɯɐuo I think J.R.'s excellent answer demonstrates that there is indeed an element of usage/meaning here, and the question therefore makes a useful contribution to ELL's library of detailed answers for those learning English. It's not just about explaining the social custom, it's about how the word "machine" can be used metaphorically.
– Chappo
4 hours ago