Where does the term beyond the pale come from?

Where does the term beyond the pale come from?

In the nominally English territory of Ireland, only the Pale fell genuinely under the authority of English law, hence the terms within the pale and beyond the pale. In Russia, Jews were relegated to living in the Pale, and mostly forbidden to live or work “beyond the pale.”

What was the significance of the pale?

History. The Pale was a strip of land, centred on Dublin, that stretched from Dundalk in Louth to Dalkey in Dublin; it became the base of English rule in Ireland. The Norman invasion of Ireland, beginning in 1169, brought much of Ireland briefly under the theoretical control of the Plantagenet Kings of England.

Is it beyond the pale or beyond the pail?

“Beyond the Pail” isn’t an expression. It could be where you walk past if you’re retrieving water from your spigot, but there are no pails or buckets involved in this old phrase. “Beyond the pale” is the correct idiom, meaning something that is out of bounds or beyond what is acceptable.

Why is Dublin called the pale?

Called the Pale, it originally consisted of parts of counties Meath, Louth, Kildare and Dublin in the east of Ireland. The word derives from “palus,” a Latin word meaning “stake.” The Pale had a ditch along its border to keep intruders out.

What does it mean by beyond reproach?

: not calling for any criticism His actions were above/beyond reproach.

What is a black Irish person?

The term “Black Irish” has been in circulation among Irish emigrants and their descendants for centuries. The term is commonly used to describe people of Irish origin who have dark features, black hair, a dark complexion and dark eyes.

What ‘beyond the pale’ actually means?

“Beyond the pale” then became a colloquial phrase meaning “outside the limits of acceptable behavior or judgment .” Also beyond the pale: hipster haircuts. The English made every attempt not to succumb to the culture “beyond the pale.”

What is the origin of the phrase “beyond the pale”?

The word “pale” was used to describe various places to which someone was not permitted or advised to cross throughout the history of England. The most famous use of the word comes from Ireland and is likely to be from which the phrase “beyond the pale” came into common usage.

What is the meaning of the term ‘beyond the pale’?

The idiom “beyond the pale” is used to describe an action that crosses society’s boundaries and that is unacceptable. Literally, a “pale” is an ancient word for a wooden stake, many of which might be put together to make a fence or boundary. As such, the use of the word “pale” in this way is also related to…

What is the origin of beyond the pale?

The most famous use of the word comes from Ireland and is likely to be from which the phrase “beyond the pale” came into common usage. The pale referred to the parts of Ireland that were controlled by the English Crown.