BURKING Meaning and
Definition
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Burking is a term that originated in the 19th century and refers to the act of suffocating someone with the intent of selling their body for anatomical dissection. It specifically denotes the illegal practice of killing individuals, usually by pressing on their chest or covering their mouth and nose, to subsequently sell their corpses to medical schools or anatomists.
The term "Burking" is derived from the infamous duo William Burke and William Hare, who were notorious for committing a series of murders in Scotland during the 1820s. They would target vulnerable individuals such as the homeless or those living in poverty, luring them to their premises and committing the act of burking. Their crimes sparked a significant public outcry, leading to increased regulations and laws regarding the procurement of cadavers for scientific purposes.
Burking is often used as a generic term to describe any act of suffocation or smothering, regardless of the specific intention behind it. The motive behind burking is usually financial gain, as supplying cadavers to medical institutions was once a lucrative business. However, this term has evolved over time to be associated specifically with the illegal and immoral act of murdering individuals for the sole purpose of selling their bodies for dissection.
In contemporary usage, the term "burking" may also be used more broadly to describe any situation where someone is deliberately silenced or suffocated, figuratively suppressing their voice or opinions.
Common Misspellings for BURKING
- vurking
- gurking
- byrking
- bhrking
- bjrking
- b8rking
- b7rking
- bueking
- butking
- bu5king
- bu4king
- burkung
- burkjng
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- burkong
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- burkibg
- burkimg
Etymology of BURKING
The word "burking" derives from the infamous case of William Burke and William Hare, who were Irish immigrants living in Edinburgh, Scotland during the early 19th century. In 1827, they carried out a series of murders known as the West Port murders or the Burke and Hare murders. The duo, rather than conventional methods of killing, resorted to smothering their victims to avoid leaving any visible signs of violence during a time when there was a high demand for fresh human bodies for anatomy lessons in medical schools.
Following their capture and subsequent trial, Burke was found guilty and executed, while Hare turned King's evidence to secure his freedom. Due to the sensational nature of the case and its significant impact on public perception, their crimes became associated with the act of smothering or suffocating someone for profit.
Similar spelling words for BURKING
- burning,
- burping,
- backing,
- bugging,
- biking,
- Bunking,
- baking,
- Barking,
- Bucking,
- lurking,
- booking.
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