Interesting term, run out of town on a rail. From Wikipedia: Riding the rail (also called being "run out of town on a rail") was a punishment most prevalent in the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries in which an offender was made to straddle a fence rail held on the shoulders of two or more bearers. The subject was then paraded around town or taken to the city limits and dumped by the roadside.

A story attributed to Abraham Lincoln has him quoting a victim of being ridden out of town on a rail as having said, "If it weren't for the honor of the thing, I'd just as soon it happened to someone else."

[–] LetterLiker@hexbear.net 8 points 2 days ago (1 children)

That is interesting! I always enjoy a bit of etymology.

With that in mind we should probably go with the tried-and-true method of torches & pitchforks for Sideshow John. Can you imagine trying to haul his ass around town on a board?

[–] derry@midwest.social 4 points 2 days ago

Tar and feathering was another method of dealing with shitheads. Usually done right before riding them out of town on a rail.

[–] microfiche@hexbear.net 7 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

it's always struck me as a pretty hard rebuke of a person and all they stand for, as outdated as it is.

I would genuinely like to see that happen to him.

[–] Le_Wokisme@hexbear.net 7 points 2 days ago

they did it to Skinner on that simpsons episode everybody hates