Question 497

The word X entered the English language during the Irish "Land War" and is derived from the name of Captain Charles X, the estate agent of an absentee landlord in County Mayo, Ireland. In September that year protesting tenants demanded from X a substantial reduction in their rents. He not only refused but also evicted them from the land. Charles Stewart Parnell proposed that rather than resorting to violence, everyone in the locality should refuse to deal with him. Despite the short-term economic hardship to those undertaking this action, X soon found himself isolated—his workers stopped work in the fields and stables, as well as the house. Local businessmen stopped trading with him, and the local postman refused to deliver mail.
The concerted action taken against him meant that X was unable to hire anyone to harvest the crops in his charge.
The Times first reported on November 20, 1880: “The people of New Pallas have resolved to 'X' them and refused to supply them with food or drink.” The Daily News wrote on December 13, 1880: “Already the stoutest-hearted are yielding on every side to the dread of being 'X-ed'.”
Id X.