{{Short description|Simple device for modifying voices}}{{More citations needed|date=July 2025}}{{ listen |filename = Punch Swazzle Thats the way to do it.ogg |title=Saying "that's the way to do it" with a swazzle|description=Swazzle demonstration.}} A '''swazzle''' (also '''swozzle''', '''schwazzle''' or '''swatchel''') is a device used to produce the distinctive shrill voice of Punch in a Punch and Judy show. It consists of a cotton tape "reed" kept taut between two curved strips of metal, held in the mouth of the ''professor'' (performer).<ref>{{Cite web |title="That's the way to do it!" A history of Punch & Judy · V&A |url=https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/thats-the-way-to-do-it-a-history-of-punch-and-judy |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=Victoria and Albert Museum |language=en}}</ref> alt=punch-and-judy|thumb|A traditional Punch and Judy booth. A swazzle was generally used by the Punch 'professor' in order to speak in Punch's characteristic voice. The design of the swazzle was once a secret guarded by the professors and only taught to those with a genuine respect for and interest in learning the performance of Punch and Judy puppetry. The device can now be bought from joke and magic shops although those made according to the traditional design are smaller and are generally considered superior.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grant |first=Michael A. |date=2020-12-18 |title=Making 'Mongolian Death Worm': The Swazzle |url=https://www.michaelgrantmusician.com/2020/12/making-mongolian-death-worm-swazzle.html/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=MICHAEL A. GRANT |language=en-US}}</ref>
The swazzle must be soaked in liquor, beer, water, or saliva before use. The swazzle is positioned between the tongue and the roof of the mouth so that exhaled air passes between the two metal strips, causing the reed to vibrate and shake. Deft movements of the tongue allow the professor to move the swazzle in and out of position, allowing them to switch between voices.<ref>{{Citation |title=Swazzle |url=https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1114017/swazzle/ |access-date=2025-07-07}}</ref>
== Origin == {{Expand section|date=July 2025}} The name of the instrument is believed to originate from the German word "schwätzen" meaning "to chatter".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grundhauser |first=Eric |date=2017-04-27 |title=The Hidden Tool That Defines a Punch and Judy Show |url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/swazzle-punch-and-judy |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=Atlas Obscura |language=en}}</ref>
==Swallowing== {{More citations needed|date=July 2025}} Because the swazzle is small, positioned in the mouth and must be repeatedly moved during a performance, there is a risk that it may be swallowed while in use. In order to minimise the risk of swallowing, some professors attach a length of cotton thread to their swazzle so that it can be pulled back if it slips into the throat. In series C, episode 11 ("Carnival") of the British panel show ''QI'', presenter Stephen Fry said that a Punch and Judy performer must accidentally swallow a swazzle at least twice before they can be considered a "professor".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guide |first=British Comedy |title=QI: Series C, Episode 11 - Carnival |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/qi/episodes/3/11/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=British Comedy Guide |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0074rz9/qi-series-c-11-carnival |title=QI - Series C: 11. Carnival |language=en-GB |access-date=2025-07-07 |via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>
==See also== *Eunuch flute *Kazoo
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20220701065549/http://spyrock.com/nadafarm/html/punch-swaz.html Punch's Swazzle: Construction] at ''Punch & Judy: The Punch Page'' *{{deadlink|date=January 2024}}[http://www.punchandjudy.com/swazzlecoombs.htm Making a Swazzle] at ''Punch and Judy on the Web'' *{{deadlink|date=January 2024}}[http://www.spyrock.com/nadafarm/html/punchswaz.html The Punch's Swazzle]
{{Membranophones}}
Category:Membranophones Category:Puppetry