Abraham's balsam

English

Etymology

Pun on Abraham's balm (Vitex agnus-castus)

Noun

Abraham's balsam (uncountable)

(archaic, British slang) Death by hanging.

Synonyms

hanging, hempen elixir, a quick drop and a sudden stop

References

“Abraham's balsam” in Albert Barrère and Charles G[odfrey] Leland, compilers and editors, A Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant, volume I (A–K), Edinburgh: The Ballantyne Press, 1889–1890, page 7.
Farmer, John Stephen (1890) Slang and Its Analogues‎, volume 1, page 10

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