#12: Sawbones

In the past, the term ‘sawbones’ was a colloquial term used to refer to a physician or surgeon. Originating in the early to mid-19th century, particularly in American English, ‘sawbones’ likely derived from the common practice of surgeons using saws during amputations and surgical procedures. Yikes!

The term captures the gritty and often brutal nature of early medical practices, emphasizing the surgeon’s reliance on tools such as bone saws. While the term has largely faded from common usage, thankfully, ‘sawbones’ remains a too-vivid reminder of the historical evolution of the medical world.