Tom Anderson wrote:
So, the word was coined (in the US) to mean execution, but within a year
it had shifted to mean killing more generally, even in the US.

Edison is believed to have introduced the word "electrocution" after a
few false starts, see http://edison.rutgers.edu/emort.htm
--
Bruce Fletcher
Stronsay, Orkney
http://tinyurl.com/3b54af
(Remove dentures to reply)