Etymology

Perkinism

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Today it means: A pseudoscientific treatment in which two pointed metal rods ("tractors") were waved over the body, supposed to cure inflammation, rheumatism, etc. by drawing off an electrical fluid. Full definition →

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The story

From Perkins + -ism, after inventor Elisha Perkins (1741–1799).

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.