[compuguru]

In reference to ‘beyond the pale’...

The phrase “beyond the pale” dates back to the 14th century, when the part of Ireland that was under English rule was delineated by a boundary made of such stakes or fences, and known as the English Pale. To travel outside of that boundary, beyond the pale, was to leave behind all the rules and institutions of English society, which the English modestly considered synonymous with civilization itself.

Source: www.word-detective.com

You’re welcome! :)

[little jeremiah]

Fence made from palings.

I’ll look up now to actually look up and this is what I found, interesting word derivation (I love word derivations):

Pole is from the same source, as are impale, paling and palisade. This meaning has been around in English since the fourteenth century and by the end of that century pale had taken on various figurative senses — a defence, a safeguard, a barrier, an enclosure, or a limit beyond which it was not permissible to go.

[infool7]

Thanks for your most excellent etymological elucidation.

It begs the question.

To what lengths should our civil society go to pursue justice and recompense for such crimes that go beyond the pale?

How long must the victims endure this endless cruelty?

Is it not long past time to water the tree of liberty?

7

[Chuckster]

The phrase “beyond the pale” dates back to the 14th century....

"Beyond the pail" OTOH, dates back to Lord Nelson's time and refers to missing the bucket as the boat rolls when one is seasick. Personal experience.