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A cane is a long, straight wooden stick, generally of Bamboo , Malacca ( Rattan ) or some similar plant, mainly used as a support, such as a Walking Stick , or as an instrument of Punishment . Depending on the use, it is left in its natural state or improved (e.g., smoothened, varnished). WALKING STICK Around the 17th or 18th Century , the cane took over for the Sword as an essential part of the Europe an gentleman's Wardrobe , used primarily as a Walking Stick . In addition to its value as a decorative accessory, the cane also continued to fulfill some of the function of the sword as a weapon. The standard cane was Rattan (especially Malacca) with a rounded metal grip. The clouded cane, as in the quotation below, was made of Malacca and showed the patina of age: ::''Sir Plume, of amber Snuff -box justly vain, ::''And the nice conduct of a clouded cane. ::::- Alexander Pope, '' The Rape Of The Lock '' Some canes had specially weighted metalwork. Other types of wood, such as Hickory , are equally suitable. Origins Walking sticks started out as a necessary tool for the shepherd and traveler. A nice hefty stick was an excellent way to protect against thieves and to keep animals in line. Over time, the walking stick gradually began to be known as a symbol for power and strength, and eventually authority and social prestige. Rulers of many cultures, past and present, have carried some form of walking stick or staff. (See more at Ceremonial Mace ) In the United States, presidents have often carried canes and received them as gifts. The Smithsonian has a cane given to George Washington by Ben Franklin . It features a gold handle in the shape of a Phrygian Cap . In our time, walking sticks are usually only seen with formal attire. Collectors of canes look for the old, the new and the novel (such as canes made from the penises of bison or bulls). Canes with hidden features such as hidden compartments, pool sticks, and sword canes are popular among collectors. Handles have been made from many substances, both natural and man-made. Carved and decorated canes have turned the functional into the fantastic. Some canes, known as "Tippling Canes", or "Tipplers", have hollowed out compartments near the top where Flask s or Vial s of Alcohol can be hidden and spring out when needed. When used as a mobility or stability aide, canes are generally used in the hand opposite the injury or weakness. This may appear counter-intuitive, but this allows the cane to used for stability in a way that lets the user shift much of their weight onto the cane and away from their weaker side as they walk. Personal preference, or a need to hold the cane in their dominant hand means some cane users choose to hold the cane on their injured side. WEAPON It is apparently the case that a license was required to carry a cane in London during the 18th century, possibly because of the use as a weapon, in essence a Fighting Stick .The process that was needed to gain this license was very long and it had been known to take a long time to finish the process; thus, most people at the time did not gain the license. A particular type of walking stick was created, called the Swordstick . This concealed a blade within the stem. See the article La Canne for the French martial art using the cane as a weapon. The cane also shows up in some styles of Eskrima , and Irish Bata . A cane features prominently in the Sumner-Brooks Affair when Preston Brooks beat fellow senator Charles Sumner nearly to death on the floor of the US Senate . In 1912 an American civil engineer named Andrew Chase Cunningham produced a booklet on the use of a cane in Self Defense , titled The Cane As A Weapon . DISCIPLINARY AND COERCIVE IMPLEMENT Rattan canes especially are used to beat someone, generally on the Buttocks or the palm of the Hand , as a form of Physical Punishment , (often as a Paddling ) specifically ''known as Caning (see that article for all details)'', both domestic and judicial, and traditional in various cultures, notably England and many nations of the Commonwealth. The Hindi word lathi designates the circa 1.2 meter long and about 2.5 cm thick rattan rod, used by Indian police for riot control and (unofficial, even illegal) prison discipline. The verb used for this action is '''to lathi-charge/lathicharhe''' OTHER USES OF CANES
USES AS VERB The verb ''to cane'' means to use a cane, but can also be a positive attribute applied to an action to imply enthusiasm e.g. "I caned it!") (both transitive) or be used intransitively in modern English Slang to express causing pain (e.g. "Ah, that canes!") ''Cane'' is sometimes used to describe Furniture made of Wicker . SEE ALSO SOURCES, REFERENCES, EXTERNAL LINKS
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