The cat o' nine tails, commonly shortened to 'the cat', is a type of multi-tailed whipping device made of leather that originated as an implement for severe physical punishment, notably in the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom.

In modern days this whip's main application shifted from the grim punitive context to voluntary use for sexual pleasures.

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Labels: cat o' nine tails, Leather ."cracker", physical punishment, Royal Navy, sexual pleasures., United Kingdom, whipping device