Many proverbial expressions originate from longer proverbs, and this can be well demonstrated from two parallel texts which even have the same meaning as the ones under discussion here, namely the proverb "He that dances should always pay the fiddler" and the proverbial expression "To pay the fiddler" derived therefrom.
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Beyond the pale - the meaning and origin of this phrase. ... The paling fence is significant as the term pale became to mean the area enclosed by such a fence and later just the figurative meaning of 'the area that is enclosed and safe'. So, to be 'beyond the pale' was to be outside the area accepted as 'home'.
www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/64100.html
The expression is properly beyond the pale. It means an action that is regarded as outside the limits of acceptable behaviour, which is unacceptable or improper. ... The expression has often been claimed to originate in one or other of these pales, most commonly the Irish one.
www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-pal2.htm
The Pale - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Pale ( An Pháil in Irish) or the English Pale ( An Pháil Shasanach ), was the part of Ireland that was directly under the control of the English government in the late Middle Ages. It had r...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pale
His unmarried status already put him beyond the Pale. Nor did he have a job, for he despised the whole system of obligation with which kinship, employment and trade have burdened the 'beneficiaries' of civilisation.
www.beyond-the-pale.co.uk/diogenes.htm www.beyond-the-pale.co.uk/diogenes.htm
rejoice in the dog ... the dog as islamic rôle-model ... poems of the month...
www.beyond-the-pale.co.uk/dogsaints.htm www.beyond-the-pale.co.uk/dogsaints.htm
The Silent Orgy ... by Anthony Weir, author of "Images of Lust" ... beyond-the-pale...
www.beyond-the-pale.org.uk/satan1.htm www.beyond-the-pale.org.uk/satan1.htm
beyond-the-pale ... Because usury (money-lending) remained a criminal sin (until the last part of the 19th century for Catholics) the lending economy (necessary for most enterprises beyond monastery lands) was forced upon the Jews, who were then reviled for this as well as for being 'Christ-killers'.
www.beyond-the-pale.org.uk/sheela1.htm www.beyond-the-pale.org.uk/sheela1.htm
Asked if his "beyond the pale" comment implied a racial overtone to Sanford's remarks, Clyburn replied: "I'm sure he would not say that, but how did he get to Zimbabwe? What took the man to Zimbabwe? Someone should ask him if that's really the best comparison.
www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/0309/Clyburn_Zimbabw... www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/0309/Clyburn_Zimbabwe_crack_beyond_the_pale.html
First of all, let me say that I admire your skepticism regarding the story you heard about the origins of "beyond the pale." It does my heart good to think that I have, even in a small way, contributed to the atmosphere of doubt and suspicion in the world today.
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