ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Hangman's knot

A hangman's knot is a type of knot that is traditionally used when someone is being hanged as a form of punishment. The knot is tied in a particular way so that it tightens and gets smaller around the neck, which stops the person from breathing and causes them to die.

To make a hangman's knot, you start by tying a loop in the end of a rope. Then, you take the long end of the rope and make a small loop, which you put through the first loop. You then pull the small loop all the way through the first loop, and then pull it tight. This creates a noose-like loop that can be tightened by pulling on the long end of the rope.

Although hangman's knots are not used much anymore, they have a long history and were a common way to carry out death penalties in the past. It's important to remember that this is a very dangerous knot and should only be used by trained professionals in certain situations.