Does anybody know the full story about the origin of the word "lynch" as in illegal hanging by vigilantes.
912114
Charles Lynch (1736 – October 29, 1796) was a Virginia planter and American Patriot who headed an irregular court formed in central Virginia to punish supporters of the British during the American Revolution. The terms lynching and lynch law possibly derive from his actions. The sentences handed down included whipping, property seizure, coerced pledges of allegiance, and conscription, but never hanging.
702240
The word is derived from the word for tribute paid by English and Scottish border dwellers to Border Reivers in return for immunity from raids. This tribute was paid in goods or labour (reditus nigri, or "blackmail"): the opposite is blanche firmes or reditus albi, or "white rent" (denoting payment by silver)
839061
In the 1800"s the word became popular from the clan, "Chieftains", who ran protection rackets on farmers in Scottland.  Should a  Farmer  not pay their mail, old term used for rent,  Chieftain would steal their cattle and crops.  Since this was considered evil, it was considered,\n "Blackmail."
483960
It is one of those sayings whose exact origins is unknown, it obviously refers to things kept secret or hidden. In the past it may actually have had something to do with someone who had died under mysterious circumstances. It was brought into literary use by Thackeray in 1845.
612776
In Victorian England,people who were designated criminals used to be executed by hanging.They would stant on an overturned bucket while the executioner put the noose around their necks.After the clergyman's prayer and the victim's last words,the executioner would kick the bucket,causing the victim to become suspended and be strangulated.\nl don't know why it's the dead person who's referred to as having kicked the bucket..
870340
White America thought that black men who were lynched were guilty too.\n\nAt first I thought he was guilty too and my white associates thought he was not guilty.  Then as the trial progressed we all switched sides; we retreated to our side of the street.\n\nIt was a most telling phenomena and I wondered: 'Why was that'?
139527
I like the other answer, but the truth is you can't find him because he is dead.  You can, however, find out about him.  He gave a speech that became a book called The Making of a Slave and you can research him on line at http://thetalkingdrum.com/wil.html or http://www.northtulsa.com/willielyn.htm or www.freemaninstitute.com/lynch.htm Understand that his words are offensive and disgusting, but knowledge is power.  You must know your enemy and learn from him how to beat him.
873741
There used to be a popular myth that wildflowers would grow on the grave of one who was innocent, but executed for a crime that they did not commit.  \nThere was a companion myth that said that no grass would grow on the grave of a murderer.\nThere was even a man who was hanged for a crime that he said he did not commit, and he said that no grass would grow on his grave because he was innocent, and sure enough no grass grew on his grave!\nBTW - I have no idea if these stories are true. I hope this was what you were asking about.
451308
I heard that some executioners were, themselves, convicted criminals. They were allowed to remain alive as long as they executed other convicted criminals. I think the executioners that I heard this about were actually hangmen in the American West 1700-1900.
731443
The origin of the ubiquitous psuedo-word "OK" or "okay" has proven to be one of the biggest war grounds in etymology. It is not specifically of English origin, being used all over the world in many different languages. The letters "OK" would be understood by an Englishman or Frenchman alike.\n\nSo what are some of the stories surrounding OK?\n\nThe Greeks had an incantation of "Omega, Khi" with which they drove away fleas. \nThe Finnish language has the word "oikea." \nLiberian English has the term "oke." \nBurmese has "hoakeh." \nThe infamous jokers at the Boston Morning Post claimed, in 1839, OK was short for "ORL KORREKT." \nThe Times, in 1939, claimed it had London Cockney origins, from "Orl Korrec." \nAmerican Indians used the word "okeh" which meant "it is so." The story goes that Andrew Jackson picked up the word during the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. \nSome Latin scholars claim that "Omnis Korecta" is the origin. \nA site called The Straight Dope claims it is convinced of the true etymology. It claims the Bostonian "OLL KORRECT" is the true origin of "OK." Another site, however, claims the American Indian etymology is correct.\n\nThis is one of the finest examples of the entertainment of language. Despite technology, historical documents, and the availability of some of the most learned people in history, we still can't work out the etymology of a simple two syllable utterance! Long may it continue.
361372
try doing a search on the antebellum south I was researching Mississippi and found barbeque postcards which were postcards of a lynching victim and there were links to archived sites that had actual interviews from slaves. former slaves and witnesses during that era maybe you'll be able to locate some archived financial information as well there was also a link to sites that claimed to record accurate not pop culture history, sorry I don't remember the sites I just remember how I got there
651460
The inquisition, was ruthless in it's hunt for those who dared to defy catholism (not sure of that spellin) But what they are most famous for is their ability to question/ torture an innocent person into incrimminating themselves. Their victims were known to simply confess to the crimes they were accused in an attempt to make the questioning end. The inquisition were masters at intimidation and the twisting of words and events...that is where the saying originated from (i do believe)
289388
The origin of the word (to answer your question) is from the French "corde du roi" which translates to the king's cord, or king's rope.\n\nIt is believed that anyone caught wearing courderoy's would be hung by the king's fashion police, using (of course) the king's rope.  8^)
635352
I have worked in resturants, and dug graves, worked on a farm, drove truck, in a factory, and worked some construction, I would do it again if able. I wonder what some people do not know about the word ILLEGAL. it is scarry that criminals are allowed to just roam in the US without knowing who they are or what they are up to.
770710
The acronym story is a complete fabrication from the middle of the 20th century.  It is completely false.\n\nThe word is the English cognate of the Proto-Germanic word *fukan 'have intercourse' which has its ultimate origin in Proto-Indo-European *pug- 'to strike' (compare English pugilist from Latin).  The English word f*ck derived according to regular sound laws from the Proto-Germanic form and there are cognate forms in most of the other Germanic languages.  It has moved in and out of vulgarity during its long reign in the Germanic languages.  In some time periods it was simply the normal term for breeding animals.  In Modern English it is moving out of being considered quite so vulgar since it is used so commonly.
141560
Nobody actually knows where that phrase comes from.  There is an urban legend about where it came from that can be found here: http://www.snopes.com/language/stories/brass.htm
493144
Try crime library, it's got several stories on him.  Here's the link: