The Romance of Words. BOYCOTT

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 111, 4 February 1935, Page 7

The Romance of Words. BOYCOTT

Troubles in Ireland imbedded the name of Captain Boycott tirmly In the English language in the sense of deliberate and hostile isolation, like “sending to Coventry.” Captain Boycott was land agent tor Lord Erne, and first acquired notoriety in 1880. Owing to the action of the Land League under Charles Stewart Parnell, there was a general agitation for the reduction of rents. Parnell made certain suggestions as to the treatment of landlords and their representatives who refused to grant the reductions asked for. The result was seen in the treatment of Boycott. Labourers refused to work for him; the walls of his fields were pulled down and his cattle driven away; he was hooted and spat upon as he passed on the public roads; he could not-on tain provisions in the neighbourhood; the common necessaries of life bad to be brought by steamer from a distance; he had great difficulty in receiving letters and telegrams The word “boycott” as a grammatical term came into use at the end of 1880 In the “Daily News” of December 13. 1880. it. is printed in capitals. These the word soon lost and became a common noun or verb. The Irish Party in the House of Commons, and others, habitually used it to signify all intimidatory measures- which ; (Stopped short of physical violence. f