boycott

This page is about the eponym boycott

Meaning

the withdrawal of support, or the refusal to buy or use something, as a form of protest or activism; (also a verb)

For example

  • There was a week-long boycott of classes at the university following the closure of the local library.

  • The elderly residents boycotted the transit system to protest the proposed fare increase.

Origin: Charles C. Boycott (1832-1897) was a land agent who refused to reduce the cost of rent in Ireland in the late 1800s. Farmers who were his tenants held a campaign against Boycott. They refused to provide labour for him or sell to him. He eventually had to move away.

Quick Quiz

An example of a boycott is

a. not buying cosmetics made from animals

b. arguing with a landlord

c. not paying a parking ticket
a) not buying cosmetics made from animals b) arguing with a landlord c) not paying a parking ticket

Contributor: Tara Benwell