The cat o' nine tails, commonly shortened to the cat, is a type of multi-tailed whip or flail. It originated as an implement for physical punishment, particularly in the Royal Navy and British Army, and as a judicial punishment in Britain and some other countries.

May 10, 2017 · The noun cat-o’-nine-tails denotes a rope whip with nine knotted cords, formerly used, especially at sea, to flog offenders. This instrument of punishment was authorised in the British navy and army until 1881—cf. also to run the gauntlet.

The cat o’ nine tails is a type of multi-tailed whip. Unlike many other whips, it’s was chiefly intended for use on humans and not to facilitate the handling of livestock or other animals.

Frequently used was the cat-o’-nine-tails, a cruel whipping contraption whose lashes were often tipped with metal or barbs; its use was finally abolished by the New York State legislature in 1848. In addition, while Lynds was warden, inmates were expected to refrain from making noise, which included talking.

A cat-o-nine tails is a whip. It consists of nine pieces of cord each tied with a series of knots. The device traditionally punished sailors in the British Royal Navy by whipping their bare backs.

One of the most common forms of convict punishment was flogging (whipping) with a ‘cat-o’-nine-tails’, a whip named for the way it scratched the skin like the claws of a cat. Made up of nine lengths of knotted cord attached to a handle, it would lash the back of the offender, tearing the skin and causing intense pain.

A cat o’nine tails is a whip with nine knotted lashes. Its origin is believed to date back to ancient Egypt, where the domestic cat was sacred and, even then, was said to have nine lives. The Egyptians believed that when beaten with cat hide, the victim gained virtue from the whip.

The Cat ‘O Nine Tails is probably the most versatile of all the implements I make. It’s impact can be varied infinitely. Combining the characteristics of a flogger and a whip, It gives the user the opportunity to achieve an endless range of sensation. Price: $275 (one size)

It’s just like a whip, with less energy you get more powerful throws. The flexible Cat O’ 9 Tails in this category originated in the late 1970-80's by Jim Farrant. It is his idea and design. When visiting an Australian museum he saw a Cat O’ 9 that had been used in the penal colonies. It had a ridged handle and was 18" long with falls.