The word “boycott” comes from a person’s name.

  • Drawing of land agent Charles Boycott
Drawing of land agent Charles Boycott
Credit: Historic Collection/ Alamy Stock Photo

Although people have sought to effect change through economic and social pressure since at least the 1700s, the concept became more widely known in the latter years of the following century, earning its moniker by way of one of the individuals targeted.

From 1879 to 1882, Ireland’s first Land War pitted rural tenants, reeling from years of economic downturn, against the rental policies of wealthy and often-absentee English landlords. Caught in the crossfire was former English army officer “Captain” Charles Boycott, whose position as a land agent for one such landlord in County Mayo came with the responsibility of evicting delinquent tenants. Organized locals made life miserable for Boycott by behaving coldly toward him in public, refusing to provide him with goods and services, and harassing his employees into quitting, a process dubbed “boycotting” by parish priest John O’Malley.

After Boycott’s complaints about the situation were published in London’s The Times in October 1880, around 50 volunteers from Ireland’s northern border journeyed to County Mayo to help the short-staffed officer harvest his farm crops. However, these charitable souls required the protection of a Royal Irish Constabulary regiment, whose members proceeded to trample the grounds and poach the livestock during their two-week stay at Boycott’s property. Although the volunteer mission was successful (albeit at an estimated cost of £10,000 to harvest £350 worth of crops), Boycott’s abandonment of his farm in late November marked a victory for the tenants and the effective method of persuasion that rapidly earned recognition under its new name.

You may also like