The word "Linch" is a variant of "lynch", which is usually spelled with a "y." The word is pronounced /lɪntʃ/. The reason for the spelling is not entirely clear, but it may be a regional variation or a linguistic issue. Regardless of the spelling, the word refers to an act of extrajudicial punishment, typically by hanging, without a legal trial. The word has a dark history in the United States, where it has been used to commit acts of racial violence and oppression.