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What is "ball and chain"

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
ball and chain
noun
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
▪ And walked back to the hotel minus her ball and chain.
▪ At which point she unlocked her ball and chain.
▪ Even after he had clubbed it to death it was part of him, his ball and chain.
▪ If her grandfather removed the ball and chain, he wrote, would she visit?
▪ Like a couple of convicts bound together by a ball and chain, neither could betray the other without exposing himself.
▪ This belief was like a ball and chain for the allied war effort.
▪ You may be surprised to find that she doesn't want to shackle you with a ball and chain.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
ball and chain

a type of prisoner's restraint, 1818; as "one's wife," 1920.

Wiktionary
ball and chain

n. 1 A heavy iron ball attached to a prisoner's leg by a chain as a means of restraint. 2 (context slang English) One's wife, as a symbol of restraint.

WordNet
ball and chain

n. heavy iron ball attached to a prisoner by a chain

Wikipedia
Ball and Chain (Social Distortion song)

"Ball and Chain" is a hit song by Social Distortion, a Southern California punk rock band, featured on their self-titled album, released in 1990, as well as on Live at the Roxy (1998).

In the words of lead singer/writer Mike Ness, "Ball and Chain" is "a hard luck story," a forceful cry, a lament, a plea, a "folk prayer."

Ball and chain

A ball and chain was a physical restraint device historically applied to prisoners, primarily in the British Empire and its former colonies, from the 17th century until as late as the mid-20th century.

A ball and chain believed to date to the 17th century was found in the United Kingdom in 2009. It consists of a sphere of high-grade iron approximately across and weighing around . The chain is of some in length and terminates in a leg iron or shackle. The weight of the ball makes it difficult for the restrained person to walk.

Ball and chain (disambiguation)

A ball and chain is a type of restraint device.

Ball and chain may also refer to:

  • Flail (weapon), a medieval weapon with a spiked ball attached to a handle by a chain
  • Significant other, a pejorative term for a significant other who weighs down his or her spouse or partner with restrictions and demands
  • Wrecking balls used for demolition of small structures
  • Ball chain, type of chain link
Ball and Chain (Elton John song)

"Ball and Chain" is a song by Elton John with lyrics by Gary Osborne. It is the third track on his 1982 album Jump Up! and was released as a single in the United States in September that year. It features Pete Townshend of The Who on acoustic guitar.

Ball and Chain (Paul Overstreet song)

"Ball and Chain" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Paul Overstreet. It was released in June 1991 as the third single from his album Heroes. The song reached #5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in October 1991. It was written by Overstreet and Don Schlitz.

Ball and Chain (restaurant)

Ball and Chain is a restaurant, bar, and live music venue located in Miami, Florida.