boycott
/bɔj.kɔt/To refuse to buy, use, or participate in something as a form of protest or to force a change in policy or behavior.
Les employés ont boycotté la réunion pour protester contre les conditions de travail.
The employees boycotted the meeting to protest working conditions.
Le pays a boycotté les Jeux Olympiques en signe de protestation.
The country boycotted the Olympics in protest.
The term originates from the name of Captain Charles Boycott, an Irish land agent whose ostracism by his community in 1880 popularized the concept.
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💡Pro Tip
Usage in Protests
The term is often used in the context of social or political movements to describe organized refusal to engage with a product, service, or event.
⚡Gold Rule
Historical Context
The term originates from a specific historical event involving Captain Charles Boycott, making it a unique example of a person's name becoming a common noun.
📖Word Origin
From the name of Captain Charles Boycott, an Irish land agent who was ostracized by his community in 1880, popularizing the concept of organized protest through non-participation.
📝Usage Notes
The term is commonly used in political, social, and economic contexts to describe collective actions aimed at pressuring entities to change their behavior.