In the late 19th century, former English Captain Charles Boycott went to work for an absentee landlord in Ireland. Having been refused their request for lower rents, the Irish tenants organized an effective isolation of Boycott. They refused to sell to him; buy from him; work for him; and speak to him.
Hearing Dr. McAinsh relate this story – far better than I just did – surprised me because the word “boycott” was something I had always taken for granted. Who would have thought its less than 120 years old?
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