Wikipedia:Good articles/Common scold

In the criminal common law of England and Wales, a common scold was a type of public nuisance. The term was given to a woman who caused trouble and who bothered the peace by arguing and fighting with her neighbours all the time. The crime was often punished by "ducking". Ducking meant that the offender was placed in a chair over a river or pond. They were then lowered into the water, until they were all in the water.