Gouge refers to one of several types of cutting tools, in addition to its meaning as a verb (
the action of cutting or scooping with or as with a gouge) and its slang meaning (
to cheat, defraud, swindle or
extort) and, rarely, as a noun meaning a
swindle (gouger).
In archeology, a
gouge is a
bifacialIn archaeology, a biface is a two-sided stone tool, manufactured through a process of lithic reduction, that displays flake scars on both sides. A profile view of the final product tends to exhibit a lenticular shape . Bifacial artifacts can be made on large flakes or blocks, and may be grouped...
or
unifacialIn archeology, a uniface is a specific type of stone tool that has been flaked on one surface only. Such tools can be placed into two general classes: 1) modified flakes and 2) formalized tools, which display deliberate, systematic modification of the marginal edges and were often formed with a...
stone toolA stone tool is, in the most general sense, any tool made partially, or entirely out of stone. Although stone-tool-dependent cultures exist even today, most stone tools are associated with prehistoric societies that no longer exist....
with a chisel-like working edge used for woodworking purposes; some may also have been used to remove marrow from bones.
Gouge refers to one of several types of cutting tools, in addition to its meaning as a verb (
the action of cutting or scooping with or as with a gouge) and its slang meaning (
to cheat, defraud, swindle or
extort) and, rarely, as a noun meaning a
swindle (gouger).
In Antiquity
In archeology, a
gouge is a
bifacialIn archaeology, a biface is a two-sided stone tool, manufactured through a process of lithic reduction, that displays flake scars on both sides. A profile view of the final product tends to exhibit a lenticular shape . Bifacial artifacts can be made on large flakes or blocks, and may be grouped...
or
unifacialIn archeology, a uniface is a specific type of stone tool that has been flaked on one surface only. Such tools can be placed into two general classes: 1) modified flakes and 2) formalized tools, which display deliberate, systematic modification of the marginal edges and were often formed with a...
stone toolA stone tool is, in the most general sense, any tool made partially, or entirely out of stone. Although stone-tool-dependent cultures exist even today, most stone tools are associated with prehistoric societies that no longer exist....
with a chisel-like working edge used for woodworking purposes; some may also have been used to remove marrow from bones. Gouges are generally
triangularA triangle is one of the basic shapes of geometry: a polygon with three corners or vertices and three sides or edges which are line segments. A triangle with vertices A, B, and C is denoted ....
in shape, with the working edge—characteristically steep-angled—appearing at the wide base of the triangle. opposite edge, at the point of the triangle, was the hafted end; the tool itself was generally hafted at right angles to the handle.
Modern tools
A modern
gouge is a
toolA broad definition of a tool is an entity used to interface between two or more domains that facilitates more effective action of one domain upon the other. The most basic tools are simple machines. For example, a crowbar simply functions as a lever. The further out from the pivot point, the more...
similar to a
chiselA chisel is a tool with a characteristically shaped cutting edge of blade on its end, for carving or cutting a hard material such as wood, stone, or metal...
except its blade edge is not flat, but instead is curved or angled in cross-section. The modern version is generally hafted inline, the blade and handle typically having the same long axis. If the angle of the plane of the blade is on the outer surface of the curve the gouge is called an 'incannel' gouge, otherwise it is known as an 'outcannel' gouge. Gouges with angled rather than curved blades are often called 'V-gouges' or 'vee-parting tools'. Variations include 'crank-neck' gouges, 'spoon-bent' gouges, etc.
Gouges are used in wood working and arts. For example, a violin luthier will use a gouge to carve the violin, a craftsmen may use it to scoop out wood for a project, or an artist may produce a piece of art by cutting some bits out of a sheet of
linoleumLinoleum is a floor covering made from renewable materials such as solidified linseed oil , pine rosin, ground cork dust, wood flour, and mineral fillers such as calcium carbonate, most commonly on a burlap or canvas backing; pigments are often added to the materials.The finest linoleum floors,...
(see also
LinocutLinocut is a printmaking technique, a variant of woodcut in which a sheet of linoleum is used for the relief surface. A design is cut into the linoleum surface with a sharp knife, V-shaped chisel or gouge, with the raised areas representing a reversal of the parts to show printed...
).
In martial arts
In
martial artsMartial arts or fighting arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat. While they may be studied for various reasons, martial arts share a single objective: to physically defeat other persons and to defend oneself or others from physical threat...
or other hand-to-hand combat application, to
gouge refers to the act of pulling or pressing certain sensitive areas on the opponent's body, typically using the fingers, but also sometimes with other bodyparts or instruments. Gouging can be accidental, or it can be used as a potent
self-defenseSelf-defense is the act of defending oneself, one's property or the well-being of another from physical harm. The use of the right of self-defense as a legal justification for the use of force is available in many jurisdictions, but the interpretation varies widely...
technique. The most typical types of gouging are
fish-hookingFish-hooking is the act of inserting fingers into the mouth, nostrils or other orifices of a person, with the intention of pulling and tearing the surrounding tissue. Forceful fish-hooking involves a high risk of permanent facial and/or orifice damage...
and
eye-gougingEye-gouging is the act of pressing or tearing the eye using the fingers, other bodyparts, or instruments. Eye-gouging involves a very high risk of eye injury, such as permanent eye loss. It is disallowed in combat sports, but some self-defense systems teach it...
, but this also includes pressing or twisting of other sensitive points on the neck, face, and limbs.
U.S. Navy Slang
In U.S. Navy jargon,
gouge is --
- the essential piece of information, the heart of the matter;
- a crib sheet or other condensed summary of useful information;
- outstanding test-preparation material such as an old test copy.
A person who is tired of hearing all the extraneous information surrounding a problem might exclaim "Just give me the gouge!"
Originated at the U.S. Naval Academy and introduced from there into the wider navy, where it sees less frequent usage.