Whipping, flogging and beatign.

[Aamir Tariq]

I have two questions.

First question:

Is the word "flogging" more common in British English than it is in American English? Since there are two versions of an idiom that has the same meaning. The British version of the idiom is, "flogging a dead horse," while its American version is, "beating a dead horse".

Second question:

As we know whipping or flogging is form of corporal punishment and was historically practiced during the times of slavery. I don't know if it is inflicted as judicial punishment in some countries or not but if it is, how would you say for instance if a criminal has been found guilty of a crime.

(British English since flogging is more common in Brit Eng)

He will receive a flogging.
He will be flogged.

(Amer Eng, since flogging is not so common in Amer Eng)

He will receive a whipping.
He will be whipped.

Correct me if I am wrong.

Regards,
Aamir the Global Citizen

 

[Skrej]

I don't think you can so neatly divide the usage into BrE and AmE. While 'beat' is the most common version of that idiom, you'll still hear 'flog' and 'whip' as well in AmE.

At least in AmE, the difference is more between the severity of the punishment. Flogging is more severe and extensive. While children and animals might be whipped, you wouldn't hear of them being flogged. Note that while whipping is still a fairly common form of corporeal correction for children, whipping a child is substantially different from the form of punishment you're referring to in adults. Whipping is also used as a (lazy, and generally ineffective) method of animal conditioning by unskilled trainers, but again it's noticeably different from the form of punishment you're referring to.

I earned many a whipping (or whupping) and countless spankings as a child, but I was never flogged, as much as I might have deserved it.

I'm not sure about whipping or flogging, but I know caning is still used as judicial punishment in some countries in SE Asia for drug offenses.

 

[Raymott]

"Lashing" is also used, as in the following newspaper article from UK.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/...ital-indonesia-aceh-shariah-law-a7943491.html

 

[Tdol]

He will receive a flogging.
He will be flogged.

You could use either of them.