Beyond the Pale

[Mock Turtle]

This is so long that many might give it a miss (nearly 2 hours), and many might also see it as anti-American, but if one skips to 8:30 then it might be more palatable. I missed out on their performances in various clubs but this was pointed out to me by a friend at the time - so pleased to find this. This was perhaps the foundation of so much modern humour (in the UK), so well worth watching. On the other hand, it just might not appeal to many, even given its age (1961).

 

[BSM1]

Not to derail your post, but do you know where the phrase "beyond the pale..." comes from?

 

[PureX]

Comedy isn't generally "anti-" anything. It just seems that way to some when it's their 'tribe' being poked fun at.

 

[Valjean]

That was hilarious.

 

[Mock Turtle]

Not to derail your post, but do you know where the phrase "beyond the pale..." comes from?

You can enlighten us if you like - my usage was as in beyond social convention - and of course this kind of humour is a bit dated and not for all - particularly all the religious bits no doubt.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Not to derail your post, but do you know where the phrase "beyond the pale..." comes from?

Jim Gaffigan?

 

[SalixIncendium]

You can enlighten us if you like - my usage was as in beyond social convention - and of course this kind of humour is a bit dated and not for all - particularly all the religious bits no doubt.

"Beyond the pale" is a phrase used to describe behaviors that are generally deemed unacceptable.

I've also seen reference to contemptuous uses to describe someone of a lower social class, but I haven't been able to verify this.

 

[sooda]

This is so long that many might give it a miss (nearly 2 hours), and many might also see it as anti-American, but if one skips to 8:30 then it might be more palatable. I missed out on their performances in various clubs but this was pointed out to me by a friend at the time - so pleased to find this. This was perhaps the foundation of so much modern humour (in the UK), so well worth watching. On the other hand, it just might not appeal to many, even given its age (1961).

This is so long that many might give it a miss (nearly 2 hours), and many might also see it as anti-American, but if one skips to 8:30 then it might be more palatable. I missed out on their performances in various clubs but this was pointed out to me by a friend at the time - so pleased to find this. This was perhaps the foundation of so much modern humour (in the UK), so well worth watching. On the other hand, it just might not appeal to many, even given its age (1961).

Beyond the pale means beyond the pale of settlement. The pale of settlement was Western imperial Russia where Jews were allowed to live. It was established by Catherine the Great.

 

[BSM1]

Beyond the pale means beyond the pale of settlement. The pale of settlement was Western imperial Russia where Jews were allowed to live. It was established by Catherine the Great.

Close, but in my reading it pre-dates that. It comes from Irish history when the English controlled basically Dublin only, There was a certain area around Dublin called the Pale. Anyone Irishman living outside this area was considered uncouth, unteachable, and uncontrollable.

 

[Mock Turtle]

meaning and origin of the phrase ‘beyond the pale’

I did check actually, to make sure it wasn't pail, and I knew it was about land or something like that, but not when it was derived.

 

[sooda]

Close, but in my reading it pre-dates that. It comes from Irish history when the English controlled basically Dublin only, There was a certain area around Dublin called the Pale. Anyone Irishman living outside this area was considered uncouth, unteachable, and uncontrollable.

Before Catherine the Great? Before 1796?

 

[sooda]

Not to derail your post, but do you know where the phrase "beyond the pale..." comes from?

This 'pale' is the noun meaning 'a stake or pointed piece of wood'... Its a boundary marker.

 

[BSM1]

Before Catherine the Great? Before 1796?

Yes. Much earlier. And yes, the "pale" was a boundary marker of sorts around Dublin.

 

[sooda]

Yes. Much earlier. And yes, the "pale" was a boundary marker of sorts around Dublin.

I have since looked it up.. Seems you are correct. I never knew. Thanks.