to ride the stang
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Stang \Stang\, n. [OE. stange, of Scand. or Dutch origin; cf. Icel. st["o]ng, akin to Dan. stang, Sw. st[*a]ng, D. stang, G. stange, OHG. stanga, AS. steng; from the root of E. sting.]
1.A long bar; a pole; a shaft; a stake. [1913 Webster]
2.In land measure, a pole, rod, or perch. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] --Swift. [1913 Webster]
Stang ball, a projectile consisting of two half balls united by a bar; a bar shot. See Illust. of Bar shot, under Bar.
To ride the stang, to be carried on a pole on men's shoulders. This method of punishing wife beaters, etc., was once in vogue in some parts of England. [1913 Webster]