Why is it blackmail and not Whitemail?

The “mail” in the word meant “tribute, rent” and was derived from an old Scandinavian word, “mal,” meaning “agreement.” The “black” in blackmail is thought to be a play on “white money,” the term for the silver coins with which tenant farmers traditionally paid their legitimate rent.

How did the term blackmail get its name?

Blackmail was originally a term from the Scottish Borders meaning payments rendered in exchange for protection from thieves and marauders. The “mail” part of blackmail derives from Middle English male meaning “rent or tribute”.

What is the real meaning of blackmail?

Blackmail is the act of attempting to force someone to do something or give up something valuable by threatening negative consequences if they don’t, especially revealing negative information about them. Blackmail can also be used as a verb meaning to do such a thing.

What’s the opposite of blackmail?

▲ Opposite of to obtain money or favors by intimidation, violence, or the misuse of authority. forfeit. give. loosen.

Is there such thing as white mail?

correspondence received from customers in their own envelope rather than in an envelope provided by the marketer. White mail generally contains address-change requests, complaints, inquiries, and orders.

When was the word blackmail first used?

16th century
In the 16th century, when blackmail first began being used, the mail in question was used chiefly in Scotland, and had the meaning of “payment” or “rent” (this word is thought to have come to Old English from the Old Norse word māl, meaning “speech, agreement”).

What is the opposite of blackmail?

Is blackmail illegal in all states?

The action demanded by the blackmailer may or may not be illegal itself. Many forms of blackmail are considered crimes under state or federal law. Most states treat blackmail as a type of extortion or coercion, which involves threats of violence or other harm in order to compel a person to do something.

What is the synonym of blackmail?

extortion, demanding money with menaces, exaction, intimidation. protection racket, bribery. wringing, milking, bleeding, bloodsucking.

What’s the meaning of Chantage?

(ˈtʃɑːntɪdʒ) noun. the use of threats to extort money; blackmail.