GAG
A gag is a device designed to prevent speech. This is usually done by blocking the mouth, partially or completely, or attempting to prevent the tongue, lips, or jaw from moving in the normal patterns of speech.
Gagging someone is highly risky, as it involves a substantial risk of asphyxia, both from the gag itself, and also from choking or vomiting and being unable to clear the airway. In practice, simple gags do not restrict communication much; however, this means that gags that are effective enough to prevent communication are generally also potentially effective at restricting breathing, and therefore potentially lethal. Gags that prevent communication may also prevent the communication of distress that might otherwise prevent injury or death.
Nowadays, gags are commonly associated with BDSM and kidnapping, specifically kidnapping scenes on television in which the captor gags the damsel in distress to prevent her from screaming for help. In fact, there are people in the BDSM community who are sexually aroused by such seemingly mundane imagery, even if there is no nudity or sexual act present, sometimes going as far as to search video stores and websites for certain scenes. In this case, the gag is seen as more than a speech prevention device.
The word "gag" is also used as an intransitive verb to describe the feeling of choking. See gag reflex.
The term "gagging writ" is used in law to describe a writ taken out with an intent to prevent speech.
Dentists also use the word "gag" as a technical term for a device used to hold the mouth open, such as a Jennings gag or a Scold's bridle
A "gag" is also a comedian's term for a joke.
