| 词汇 | brand of villain |
| 词源 | brand of villain. Up until the early 19th century, when the practice ended, British criminals were branded with large let- ters indicating their crimes. Murderers or manslayers were branded with an M on the thumb or back of the right hand, while thieves got a T on the left hand; rogues, usually kidnap- pers, had an R branded on their shoulders; and felons were marked with an F on the cheek. In early times the English also branded people convicted for brawling in church (F for felon), and blaspheming (B). Some of these brands were used in colo- nial America, too, and we had one of our own, the A or Scarlet Letter that was sewn on the dress of an adulteress. English criminals often pleaded benefit of clergy and were released to a church court, where they automatically received lighter penalties. But even if they did so, they were frequently branded before the secular court let them go. Branded criminals were thus a familiar sight on the streets of London and other large cities, and it was their presence that suggested the old expres- sion he had the brand of villain in his looks. |
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