blackleg etymology

Etymology:

  • "Blackleg" is a term with multiple etymological origins:

1. Blackleg Disease

  • Refers to a bacterial infection in cattle, caused by the bacterium Clostridium chauvoei.
  • The infected area develops a dark, swollen, and painful swelling, resembling a "black leg."

2. Industrial Labor Dispute

  • Originated in the 18th century as a derogatory term for strikebreakers.
  • Derived from the practice of coal miners hiding their legs under black fabric to conceal their identity while working in place of striking miners.

Meaning:

1. Blackleg Disease

  • A serious and often fatal bacterial infection in cattle.

2. Industrial Labor Dispute

  • A person who crosses a picket line to work during a strike, often seen as a traitor to the labor movement.

Origin:

1. Blackleg Disease

  • The term first appeared in the early 19th century to describe the characteristic black swelling caused by the infection.

2. Industrial Labor Dispute

  • The term was first used in labor disputes in the 18th century during the Industrial Revolution. It gained widespread use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries during major strikes and union organizing efforts.

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