Quote Originally Posted by Donatien
As regards flaying alive, this is what Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) author of Gullivers Travels wrote on the subject:-

"Last week I saw a woman flayed, and you will hardly believe how much it altered her person for the worse".
Titian made a drawing of a flaying, in his drawing the victim is smiling. The symbolism is that the victim being flayed is being confronted with and shedding his life's sins.

I can think of better ways to have a laugh.