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A ball and chain

An iron ball and chain was a physical restraint device historically applied to prisoners, notably in the British Empire and former colonies from the 17th century until as late as the mid 20th century. A recent archaeological find ^[1] consists of a sphere of high-grade iron approximately 15cm across and weighing around 8 kg. The chain is of some 90cm length and terminates in a leg iron or shackle.

Other uses [edit]

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

In media and entertainment [edit]

• Ball & Chain, a 2004 romantic comedy written by Thomas Mortimer
• Ball & Chain, a folkstyle and freestyle wrestling move where the opponents wrist is held between their own legs, making it easier to turn them onto their back
• "Chain Chomp", obstacle enemies from the Mario series of video games
• Panapet, a ball-shaped portable novelty radio on a chain, produced by Panasonic in the early 1970s

In songs [edit]

• "Ball and Chain", a song by a Dutch singer Anouk
• "I Love You Like A Ball and Chain", a song by Eurythmics from their album Be Yourself Tonight, released: May 1985
• "Ball and Chain", a song by Anthony Hamilton from his 2005 album "Soulife"
• "Ball and Chain" (Elton John song), a song by Elton John from his 1982 album Jump Up!, also released as a single
• "Ball and Chain", a song by Live from their earliest album The Death of a Dictionary, when they were known as Public Affection
• "Ball and Chain", a song by XTC from their album English Settlement.
• "Ball and Chain", a song by Murder by Death from their album Red of Tooth and Claw
• "Ball and Chain" (Paul Overstreet song), a song by Paul Overstreet
• "Ball and Chain", a song by Poison from their 1990 album Flesh and Blood
• "The Ball and Chain", a single by house music producer Romanthony
• "Ball and Chain" (Social Distortion song), a 1990 song by Social Distortion from their album Social Distortion
• "Ball and Chain", a song by the band Sublime
• "Ball and Chain", a song by Saga from their album 20/20 (2012)
• "Lucky Ball and Chain", a song by They Might Be Giants from their 1990 album Flood
• "Ball 'n' Chain", a song by Big Mama Thornton, covered by Janis Joplin and Big Brother and the Holding Company
• "Psycho Ball & Chain", a song by the Canadian Psychobilly Band The Creepshow
• "Ball and Chain", a song by Beverly Kenney from the LP "Beverly Kenney Sings for Johnny Smith" (1956)

See also [edit]

• Chain gang

References [edit]

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