third degree

Signification (Anglais)

Intensive rough interrogation in order to extract information or a confession

Concepts

chevalet

torture

passage à tabac

Synonymes

rack

torture

Traductions

interrogació brutal

Folter

τρίτου βαθμού

ανάκριση τρίτου βαθμού

Étymologie (Anglais)

Attested from 1900. The phrase, meaning "intense interrogation by police," likely refers to the Third Degree of Master Mason in Freemasonry, the ceremony for which included an interrogation. Alternatively, it reflects the practice of interrogation under torture, where three degrees of torture were recognized, of increasing intensity. In other contexts, three degrees of interrogation were recognised, with torture being the third degree.

Phrases

Give them a little third degree .

Donnez-leur un petit troisième degré.