I never see that prettiest thing -
A cherry tree gone white with spring -
But what I think, “How gay 'twould be
To hang me from a flowering tree.”
- Dorothy Parker
I’m reading a novel set in 17th century England. They make references to “half-hanging” criminals, and then quartering. I’m guessing that the half-hanging means they are slowly strangled for awhile, then cut down for the quartering. Anybody?
I think the reference is to Hanging, drawing and quartering.
That may be what Wiki says, but it’s mentioned several times in what I’m reading as ‘half-hanging.’ I even went back and checked after you posted. Either way, pretty nasty way to go.
Maybe she’s secretly from Arab, Alabama and that was her way of trying to break it to you since she’s been so ashamed that she’s never mentioned it before. It would explain the accent and exotic food, no?