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Blackballing: meaning, definitions and examples

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blackballing

 

[ ˈblækˌbɔːlɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

social exclusion

Blackballing refers to the act of excluding someone from a group, organization, or society, typically through a secret ballot or informal agreement. This practice is often used to prevent undesirable individuals from being accepted. The term is commonly associated with clubs, organizations, or professional circles.

Synonyms

boycott, exclude, ostracize, shun

Examples of usage

  • The board decided to blackball him for his unethical behavior.
  • She felt that she was being blackballed after the incident.
  • His controversial views led to blackballing within the community.

Translations

Translations of the word "blackballing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 exclusão

🇮🇳 बाहरी करना

🇩🇪 schwarzliste

🇮🇩 pengucilan

🇺🇦 виключення

🇵🇱 wykluczenie

🇯🇵 排除

🇫🇷 exclusion

🇪🇸 exclusión

🇹🇷 dışlama

🇰🇷 배제

🇸🇦 استبعاد

🇨🇿 vyloučení

🇸🇰 vylúčenie

🇨🇳 排斥

🇸🇮 izključitev

🇮🇸 útilokun

🇰🇿 бас тарту

🇬🇪 გამორიცხვა

🇦🇿 kənarlaşdırma

🇲🇽 exclusión

Word origin

The term 'blackballing' originated in the 18th century, particularly within the context of social clubs and organizations that used a black-and-white ballot system to decide on new members. The 'black ball' was used to indicate disapproval, while a white ball represented approval. This secret voting procedure gave rise to the phrase 'to blackball' someone, meaning to vote against their membership or acceptance. Over time, the meaning broadened to refer to any form of social exclusion or shunning, often in professional or community contexts. The practice highlights the dynamics of power, acceptance, and social interaction, reflecting how collective decision-making can lead to isolation or inclusion based on group norms and values.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,788, 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.