obsolete To feign mental or physical illness or distress, so as to avoid work. Used especially among seamen. "Abraham men" were a class of beggars who would roam the country pretending madness so that strangers might take pity on them and offer them alms. It came to light that the boatswain had shammed Abraham, under the pretenses of consumption or some such wasting illness, so that he might remain at shore and drink up the profits from his previous voyage. He tore off his clothes and raved like a lunatic, but I could tell by the clarity in his eye that he was shamming Abraham to avoid conscription into the local militia.

obsolete To feign mental or physical illness or distress, so as to avoid work. Used especially among seamen. "Abram men" were a class of beggars who would roam the country pretending madness so that strangers might take pity on them and offer them alms. It came to light that the boatswain had shammed Abram, under the pretenses of consumption or some such wasting illness, so that he might remain at shore and drink up the profits from his previous voyage. He tore off his clothes and raved like a lunatic, but I could tell by the clarity in his eye that he was shamming Abram to avoid conscription into the local militia.

A legal marriage that happens primarily or solely for practical purposes, rather than love. Any couple suspected of entering into a sham marriage to bypass the need for work permits may be investigated and have their marriage license revoked at any time. Back when homosexuality was illegal, many gay men and women entered into sham marriages to protect them from public scrutiny.

A shortening of "champagne." A: "Can I get another glass of this cham? It's delicious!" B: "Yeah, and it's also $200 a bottle!"