2007-02-21 09:23:12 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
The word is derived from the word for tribute paid by English and Scottish border dwellers to Border Reivers in return for immunity from raids. This tribute was paid in goods or labour (reditus nigri, or "blackmail"): the opposite is blanche firmes or reditus albi, or "white rent" (denoting payment by silver).
2007-02-21 09:26:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because its racist why don't they call it whitemail? Lol im joking.
But i would assume it was due to the connotations associated with black, although i was joking above black is commonly associated with darkness, evil, fear.
And mail is something you recieve often a request so putting the two together creates a dark and unpleasant request as is often the case with people who suffer from blackmail.
However this is just my opinion.
2007-02-21 18:04:57 · answer #2 · answered by Zaina 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't let the others fool you. It is called black mail because the Blackmailer's union forbade the use of green, red, or blue ink to write the letters. Thus they established the tradion of Blackmail, and ultimately established their trademark though the use of black ink only.
--That Cheeky Lad
"Glad to be of service"
2007-02-22 02:55:11 · answer #3 · answered by Charles-CeeJay_UK_ USA/CheekyLad 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why is what called Blackmail ? Everyone knows what blackmail means! It's only a word, live your life campaigning against it if you wish. Or take your kids fishing, sorry there are no black fish! geez!!!!
2007-02-21 17:31:58 · answer #4 · answered by naplusultra 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because "black" is associated with darkness or badness. Which is what blackmail is.
2007-02-21 17:26:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
hey skycat... just visit here & all will be revealed !
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackmail
as I'm sure SIMON B allready knows !
2007-02-21 17:30:43 · answer #6 · answered by Reproman 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Probably cause it's threatening to reveal a dark secret, and darkness is black.
2007-02-21 17:26:41 · answer #7 · answered by Maxie D 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
because everything black is associated with evil and everything good is white, get it............................
2007-02-21 17:27:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋