Blackball: meaning, definitions and examples

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blackball

[ˈblækbɔːl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

social exclusion

To blackball someone means to vote against their membership, involvement, or acceptance within a particular group or organization. This typically occurs during secret ballots and can result in a person being ostracized from social or professional circles. The act of blackballing can have serious implications for an individual's reputation and opportunities. It is often associated with clubs, societies, and other collective groups that have a selective membership process.

Synonyms

exclude, ostracize, shun.

Examples of usage

The committee decided to blackball the controversial candidate.
He was blackballed from the country club after the incident.
Despite his talent, he was blackballed by the industry.
Her outspoken opinions led her to be blackballed in the community.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

social rejection

A blackball refers to a vote cast against someone, typically used in the context of secret ballot voting for membership in exclusive organizations. When a blackball is used, it usually signifies that the individual is unwelcome within that particular group. The term also symbolizes broader social rejection, reflecting how communities can decide to exclude individuals based on various criteria.

Synonyms

disapproval, no-vote, rejection.

Examples of usage

His application received a blackball from the board.
Despite his achievements, he faced a blackball from his peers.
The blackballing process was made clear during the meeting.
She learned about the consequences of being on the blackball list.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term originated in the 18th century, derived from the practice of using black balls to express a negative vote in private organizations.
In voting, a white ball commonly represented acceptance, while a black ball indicated rejection.

Historical Context

In the 19th century, the blackballing practice was notably used in clubs and societies like the Freemasons and gentlemen's clubs to maintain exclusive memberships.
The term gained popularity with the rise of social clubs that required discreet voting to protect member privacy.

Pop Culture

In modern media, 'blackball' often appears in various films and books, illustrating social ostracism and exclusion.
Famous examples include storylines about individuals who are 'blackballed' from the film industry or elite circles.

Psychology

Blackballing someone can lead to significant emotional distress and feelings of isolation, highlighting the impact of social exclusion.
Group dynamics often influence how and why individuals are blackballed, revealing behavioral patterns in communities.

Legal Framework

In some contexts, blackballing can lead to legal issues, especially if it involves discrimination against protected classes.
Organizations may have policies to counteract blackballing, promoting inclusivity and fair treatment.

Translations

Translations of the word "blackball" in other languages:

🇵🇹 excluir

🇮🇳 बैन करना

🇩🇪 ausschließen

🇮🇩 mengeluarkan

🇺🇦 виключати

🇵🇱 wykluczać

🇯🇵 排除する

🇫🇷 exclure

🇪🇸 excluir

🇹🇷 hariç tutmak

🇰🇷 제외하다

🇸🇦 استبعاد

🇨🇿 vyloučit

🇸🇰 vylúčiť

🇨🇳 排除

🇸🇮 izključiti

🇮🇸 útiloka

🇰🇿 шығарып тастау

🇬🇪 გამოდევნა

🇦🇿 çıxarmaq

🇲🇽 excluir

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,167, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.

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