The origin of the term is obscure; everyone talks about the duck pit, but nobody ever says where it is, what it is, or how the people destined for it will get there. Believed to be a Babylon 5 reference, however. Usage example: Aux duck pits, citoyens I found this at Orcinus: "Some liberal commenters, for instance, on certain threads I read have devised, satirically, a "duck pit" into which all conservative minions will be cast on the day of liberal reckoning, there to be nibbled to death by a thousand hungry ducks." If I remember correctly, it originated in comments at Atrios, as a response to violent threats by Right Wing trolls. Sometimes sillines and absurdity are are a good antidote for hatred.