I learned this while living in Brazil where 'linchar' is a verb, and used in both senses. Here's Etymonline's definition: "originally any sort of summary justic

I learned this while living in Brazil where 'linchar' is a verb, and used in both senses. Here's Etymonline's definition: "originally any sort of summary justice, especially by flogging; narrowing of focus to "extralegal execution by hanging" is 20c." This American Life has an episode ("Tarred and Feathered") on the subject of summary justice. http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/522/tarred-and-feathered http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/522/t...