How Do You Spell BLACKBALLING?

Pronunciation: [blˈakbɔːlɪŋ] (IPA)

The word "blackballing" is spelled with two L's, despite the fact that the "-ing" suffix usually only requires one. This is because the word comes from the practice of voting with black and white balls in secret societies. A negative vote would be cast with a black ball, leading to the term "blackballing" for rejecting someone. The phonetic transcription of "blackballing" is /blæk.bɔːl.ɪŋ/, with emphasis on the first syllable and a long 'o' sound in the second.

BLACKBALLING Meaning and Definition

1. Blackballing is a term commonly used in social and organizational contexts, referring to the act of excluding or ostracizing an individual or a group from particular privileges, opportunities, or membership. This practice involves withholding approval or acceptance, based on negative opinions or prejudices held by others. The term is often associated with secretive or anonymous voting procedures, where individuals cast votes, traditionally using black and white balls, to decide on an individual's fate.

   In many cases, blackballing is exercised as a means of punishment, retribution, or maintaining social control within a group or community. It can be characterized by a collective decision to exclude someone from a certain social network, organization, or club. The process of blackballing generally results from a perceived violation of social norms, perceived character flaws, or simply not conforming to the majority's expectations.

   Blackballing can have significant consequences, as it limits opportunities and benefits available to the individual or group being targeted. These consequences may include being denied employment, being barred from professional or social circles, or being shunned by a community. The impact of blackballing can extend beyond immediate circumstances, affecting reputation, social standing, and overall well-being.

   Overall, blackballing entails systematic exclusion or rejection, often driven by collective decision-making processes, leading to the denial of various opportunities, privileges, or acceptance within specific social or professional contexts.

Common Misspellings for BLACKBALLING

• vlackballing
• nlackballing
• hlackballing
• glackballing
• bkackballing
• bpackballing
• boackballing
• blzckballing
• blsckballing
• blwckballing
• blqckballing
• blaxkballing
• blavkballing
• blafkballing
• bladkballing
• blacjballing
• blacmballing
• blaclballing
• blackballling
• blackballins
• blackballingss
• blackballeing
• blackballeings
• backballins

Etymology of BLACKBALLING

The word "blackballing" originated from the practice of using small black or dark-colored balls to cast negative votes in secret ballots. The term is derived from two separate words: "black" and "ball".

The use of balls or colored objects to vote or make decisions dates back to ancient Greece. In some Greek societies, a white ball represented a positive vote or inclusion, while a black ball indicated a negative vote or exclusion. This system was later adopted by British clubs and societies in the 18th century.

The process of blackballing typically involved members of a group anonymously casting their votes by placing a white or black ball into a box or container. If someone received too many black balls, they would be denied membership, admission, or other privileges. Hence, the term "blackball" came to symbolize voting against someone's favor or rejecting their inclusion.

Similar spelling word for BLACKBALLING

• Blackmailing.

Plural form of BLACKBALLING is BLACKBALLINGS

Conjugate verb Blackballing

CONDITIONAL

I would blackball

we would blackball

you would blackball

he/she/it would blackball

they would blackball

FUTURE

I will blackball

we will blackball

you will blackball

he/she/it will blackball

they will blackball

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have blackballed

we will have blackballed

you will have blackballed

he/she/it will have blackballed

they will have blackballed

PAST

I blackballed

we blackballed

you blackballed

he/she/it blackballed

they blackballed

PAST PERFECT

I had blackballed

we had blackballed

you had blackballed

he/she/it had blackballed

they had blackballed

PRESENT

I blackball

we blackball

you blackball

he/she/it blackballs

they blackball

PRESENT PERFECT

I have blackballed

we have blackballed

you have blackballed

he/she/it has blackballed

they have blackballed

I am blackballing

we are blackballing

you are blackballing

he/she/it is blackballing

they are blackballing

I was blackballing

we were blackballing

you were blackballing

he/she/it was blackballing

they were blackballing

I will be blackballing

we will be blackballing

you will be blackballing

he/she/it will be blackballing

they will be blackballing

I have been blackballing

we have been blackballing

you have been blackballing

he/she/it has been blackballing

they have been blackballing

I had been blackballing

we had been blackballing

you had been blackballing

he/she/it had been blackballing

they had been blackballing

I will have been blackballing

we will have been blackballing

you will have been blackballing

he/she/it will have been blackballing

they will have been blackballing

I would have blackballed

we would have blackballed

you would have blackballed

he/she/it would have blackballed

they would have blackballed

I would be blackballing

we would be blackballing

you would be blackballing

he/she/it would be blackballing

they would be blackballing

I would have been blackballing

we would have been blackballing

you would have been blackballing

he/she/it would have been blackballing

they would have been blackballing