Burkers

/ˈbɜːrkərz/ noun

Definition

Plural of burker; multiple people who suppress or conceal something, or historically, multiple perpetrators of smothering murders.

Etymology

Plural of 'burker' following standard English '-s' pluralization; derived ultimately from William Burke's surname.

Kelly Says

During the Burke and Hare murders in 1820s Edinburgh, the public terror was so great that 'burkers' became synonymous with body snatchers and murderers—people even organized armed watch groups at night out of fear.

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