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.

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

1. A pale is an old term for a fencepost or a fence, thus a barrier. Those within the barrier were civilized because it was usually a large building, castle, tract of land, or town. Those outside the barrier, or "beyond the pale", were uncivilized and not under control.

2. Outside the bounds of acceptable behavior.

A pale is a protected area or jurisdiction. To be outside or beyond it is to be outside of civilization--hence, uncivilized and with no expectation of civilized treatment.

2006: (Also see 'beyond the pale - Dublin, Ireland). That area of Iraq outside the US trenches surrounding Baghdad, where 'democracy' has failed to flower. Lawless (see: ref. 'Sharia'), anarchic territory under the influence of sunni-VS.-shia warlords and suicide bombers.

'The Pale' is an area of Ireland from the North wall of Dundalk to the South of Dublin City. This has always been (and will continue to be) the most developed an wealthy area of the country. Anybody who comes from outside of this area is said to be from 'Beyond the Pale' meaning they are of a lower social class and intellect purely because of their geographical location. Great theory, I often rip apart people from outside the pale!!