English Explanatory Dictionary

sham Abraham

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To pretend sickness or insanity.

Pronunciation

/ʃæm ˈeɪ.bɹəˌhæm/ /ʃæm ˈeɪ.bɹə.həm/

Word forms

sham Abraham shams Abraham shamming Abraham shammed Abraham sham Abram

Etymology

First use appears c. 1752. From sham + Abraham man (“a beggar who pretends to be ill”)

Synonyms

chuck a sickie do Abram pull a sickie throw a sickie

Related words

play possum
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