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Eipjoo Posted 13 years ago
Vocabulary

before being turned off the platform overhead

Between two ancient, gnarled trees, the way was barred with what seemed to be a mossy gate, its gray wood twisted with rot. I was halfway over the crumbling barrier before I realized that I was once again at the steps of the old gallows. How many doomed souls had climbed these very stairs before being turned off the platform overhead?

What’s the meaning of the highlighted?
  

Top answer

Beats me! I've seen many photos and clips of old hangings in the US. If the speaker is standing on the ground, the platform from which the "victim" is dropped would be overhead.

— Avangi

  • Beats me!
  • I've seen many photos and clips of old hangings in the US.
  • If the speaker is standing on the ground, the platform from which the "victim" is dropped would be overhead.
  • But "turned off" is a real puzzle.
  • It's usually a trap door on which the man stands, which simply opens by a lever mechanism, sending him to his doom.
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2 Answers
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Beats me! I've seen many photos and clips of old hangings in the US.
If the speaker is standing on the ground, the platform from which the "victim" is dropped would be overhead.
But "turned off" is a real puzzle. It's usually a trap door on which the man stands, which simply opens by a lever mechanism, sending him to his doom.

Do you have information on the country and the perio
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AvangiDo you have information on the country and the period when this "old gallows" was active?
As far as I've read, I've no information about it except that it is in a British country. If I get some information further, I would let if off to you.
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