Common Scold
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary · Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
One who, by the practice of frequent scolding, disturbs the neighborhood.
Bish. Crim. Law, § 147.
The offense of being a common scold is cognizable at common law. It is a particular form of nuisance, and was punishable by the ducking stool at common law, in place of which punishment fine and imprisonment are substituted in the United States.
12 Serg. & R. (Pa.) 220; 3 Cranch, C. C. (U. S.) 620. See 1 Term R. 748; 6 Mod. 11; 4 Rog. (N. Y.) 90; 1 Russ. Crimes, 302; Rose. Crim. Ev. 665.