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Beyond the pale

187 replies

Reppin · 15/12/2017 05:11

Can we all stop using this expression now?

OP posts:
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NobbyNobberson · 15/12/2017 05:12

I have no idea what it means!

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BusyBeez99 · 15/12/2017 05:15

The OP thinks it's racist. It isn't. It's another urban myth that it is

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Pengggwn · 15/12/2017 05:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Reppin · 15/12/2017 05:16

How is it an urban myth Busybeez? And I did not say it was racist.

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Bluntness100 · 15/12/2017 05:19

A pale is a stake of wood or fence. A pale enclosed a safe area, so beyond the pale meant somewhere unsafe, so it become to mean unacceptable behavuour if you were beyond thr pale.

Thr use of the word pale doesn’t exist in this context anymore, unless you think of things like impale.

Op, why?

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BusyBeez99 · 15/12/2017 05:20

So elaborate as to why you don't want it used

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Iruka · 15/12/2017 05:21

I thought it referred to the Pale of Settlement where the Russians sent all the Jews to live?

Be nice if the OP said what her problem is, instead of just issuing instructions

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honeysucklejasmine · 15/12/2017 05:23

What's wrong with it?

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Reppin · 15/12/2017 05:23

A request is not an instruction Iruka. Do you not know how to use google?

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Bluntness100 · 15/12/2017 05:24

I thought it referred to the Pale of Settlement where the Russians sent all the Jews to live?

It can’t though, there were very many pales across Europe. Russsia etc.

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BusyBeez99 · 15/12/2017 05:24

Do you always post things and then not say why OP? Why don't you want people using this phrase?

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Bluntness100 · 15/12/2017 05:26

Op, what are you talking about? What is your issue with thr phrase and why are you attacking people?

Totally confused.

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BusyBeez99 · 15/12/2017 05:28

It's beyond the pale to act like the OP is

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Battleax · 15/12/2017 05:30

This is discussed from time to time and the conclusion is always that it isn't problematic in origin, I think.

What is your objection OP?

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blueskyinmarch · 15/12/2017 05:35

Not unless you give me a reasonable and well researched reason why it shouldn't be used.

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Reppin · 15/12/2017 05:37

My argument would be that the origin of the word pale does come from land that was under English rule in Ireland (and Scotland) so what is it suggesting is beyond English rule? Barbarians? It is definitely not an urban myth. There is debate about where the phrase comes from, but that is the nature of language. I think that there is enough evidence to suggest that it is implying that Irish people beyond the pale or beyond English rule were displaying inapproriate behaviour.

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CocaColaTruck · 15/12/2017 05:37

Daft post.

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Reppin · 15/12/2017 05:38

How am I attacking people Bluntness?

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Psychobabble123 · 15/12/2017 05:38

Basically, OP piled on to complain about something she thought was racist, without actually knowing what it meant. She now realises that she looks like a knob so she's being evasive until someone gives a definition that will suit her and mske her seem.justified. good luck with that 😂

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NobbyNobberson · 15/12/2017 05:39

Well, now I know the meaning/origins.........nope, I can see no reason to stop using it 👍😀

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BusyBeez99 · 15/12/2017 05:40

I had forgotten about this phrase before you brought it up and shall be adding to my list of phrases and words to use on a more regular basis to annoy people like the OP who get easily offended, usually outraged on someone else's behalf (which is a bugbear of mine)

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Reppin · 15/12/2017 05:41

Cross post psychobabble?

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Battleax · 15/12/2017 05:43

All European languages have words and phrases that reflect the Home-centredness of less globalised times. Everybody thought that every else was far off and barbaric. I quite like the way syphillis is "The English Disease" in France Grin

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Battleax · 15/12/2017 05:46

Actually, I think I remember reading that a lot of languages have slang terms blaming syphillis on some other nation Smile

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twiney · 15/12/2017 05:47

@Reppin

Considering you've just used the word "barbarian", itself a "racist" word with Ancient Greek roots related to the concept of 'stammering' foreigners, I think you need to try and find a way to shut this down gracefully now.

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