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Nov 28, 2009
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Dictionary of Phrase and Fable—A

To Sham Abraham.

To pretend illness or distress, in order to get off work. (See Abram-Man.)

I have heard people say Sham Abram you may,
But must not Sham Abraham Newland.

—T. Dibdin or Upton

Abraham Newland was cashier of the Bank of England, and signed the notes.
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
Abraham's Bosom
Abraham
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More on to sham Abraham from Infoplease:

  • Abraham, to sham - To Sham Abraham. To pretend illness or distress, in order to get off work. (See Abram-Man.) I have ...
  • Newland - Newland An Abraham Newland. A bank-note, so called from Abraham Newland, one of the governors of ...
  • Dictionary of Phrase and Fable: A - Definitions, origins, and illustrative excerpts for words, phases, and literary allusions starting with "A"
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