| Definitions | | beyond the pale |
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adjective (pos=beyond the pale, -)
- (idiom) Describing behaviour that is considered to be outside the bounds of morality, good behaviour or judgement in civilised company.
Etymology: From pale, a jurisdiction under a given authority; often held by one nation in another country, hence suggesting that anything outside their control was uncivilised. It was in use by the mid-17th century. The phrase may be a reference to the general sense of boundary, but is often understood to refer to the English w:The Pale, Pale in Ireland. In the nominally English territory of Ireland, only the pale fell genuinely under the authority of English law, hence the terms within the Pale and .
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