Beyond the pale

If someone’s behaviour is described as beyond the pale it is unacceptable. They have overstepped the mark of good manners or decency.

This originates from pale meaning an area designated to a particular authority, such as a cathedral pale.

In the fourteenth century the English Pale was the area of Ireland under English rule.

Civilisation existed within the pale and anything outside this area, or beyond the pale, was seen as occupied by barbarians.

The Irish would no doubt have a different story to tell!

The phrase has remained with us.

A person behaving inappropriately is considered beyond the pale and therefore they, or at least the behaviour, are shunned.