How Do You Spell BLACKLEG?

Pronunciation: [blˈaklɛɡ] (IPA)

The spelling of "blackleg" may seem confusing at first glance, but it actually makes perfect sense when using IPA phonetic transcription. The word is pronounced /blækliɡ/ with the "a" making an /æ/ sound and the "eg" making an /ɛɡ/ sound. The use of the "ck" instead of just "k" is because the vowel sound in the stressed syllable is short. The word originally referred to someone who was against a strike and would work during it, but it is now more commonly used to describe a disease in animals.

BLACKLEG Meaning and Definition

1. Blackleg is a noun that refers to a person who betrays their associates or colleagues, often to gain personal advantage or profit. This term can also be used as a verb, meaning to betray or act treacherously towards others. The concept of blackleg is commonly associated with breaking solidarity, cheating, or undermining the collective interests of a group.

   Historically, blackleg was predominantly used to describe individuals who went against the collective action of workers during strikes or industrial actions by continuing to work or crossing picket lines, thereby undermining the objectives of the labor movement. In this context, blackleg is considered highly derogatory and implies disloyalty and deceit.

   The term has also been extended to other domains, including politics, warfare, and personal relationships, where individuals betray their allegiances, principles, or promises. A person can be labeled a blackleg when they act against the common interest or values that they were believed to uphold, often causing distress or harm to others.

   Overall, the term blackleg encompasses notions of disloyalty, treachery, and betrayal. It is an expression used to describe the negative actions of individuals who prioritize personal gains over the collective interest, often causing damage to relationships, communities, or causes they were previously associated with.

2. 1. Purpura of the legs. 2. Quarter evil, symptomatic anthrax.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for BLACKLEG

• blackl
• bleckle
• blackless
• blackleed
• blackley
• bleckleg
• blaklee
• blackeey
• blanckley
• Placulea
• Blackleigh
• Blackney
• blackeleg
• blacklegge
• blackeag
• blecklag
• blackelegge

Etymology of BLACKLEG

The word "blackleg" originated in the early 19th century and has its origins in the world of workers' strikes and industrial disputes.

The term is a compound word combining "black" with "leg". "Black", in this context, refers to something negative or evil, often associated with dishonesty, dishonor, or criminality.

The "leg" part of the word is believed to have been inspired by the practice of branding or marking workers who refused to join a strike. Those who continued working during a strike were often viewed as traitors by their fellow workers. To distinguish them, their legs would be marked or blackened with a substance like tar.

Over time, the term "blackleg" evolved to describe someone who works or supports an organization during a strike, thereby undermining the collective action of the workers.

Similar spelling words for BLACKLEG

• blackledge,
• blakley,
• blacklead,
• blacklock,
• black olive,
• black lung,
• black whale,
• Blackwell,
• black elder,
• bleakley,
• blackley,
• black hole,
• black lead,
• blacklist,
• bleakly,
• blackwelder.

Plural form of BLACKLEG is BLACKLEGS

Conjugate verb Blackleg

CONDITIONAL

I would blackleg

you would blackleg

he/she/it would blackleg

we would blackleg

they would blackleg

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be blacklegging

you would be blacklegging

he/she/it would be blacklegging

we would be blacklegging

they would be blacklegging

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have blackleg

you would have blackleg

he/she/it would have blackleg

we would have blackleg

they would have blackleg

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been blacklegging

you would have been blacklegging

he/she/it would have been blacklegging

we would have been blacklegging

they would have been blacklegging

FUTURE

I will blackleg

you will blackleg

he/she/it will blackleg

we will blackleg

they will blackleg

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be blacklegging

you will be blacklegging

he/she/it will be blacklegging

we will be blacklegging

they will be blacklegging

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have blacklegged

you will have blacklegged

he/she/it will have blacklegged

we will have blacklegged

they will have blacklegged

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been blacklegging

you will have been blacklegging

he/she/it will have been blacklegging

we will have been blacklegging

they will have been blacklegging

IMPERATIVE

you blackleg

we let´s blackleg

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to blackleg

PAST

I blacklegged

you blacklegged

he/she/it blacklegged

we blacklegged

they blacklegged

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was blacklegging

you were blacklegging

he/she/it was blacklegging

we were blacklegging

they were blacklegging

PAST PARTICIPLE

blacklegged

PAST PERFECT

I had blacklegged

you had blacklegged

he/she/it had blacklegged

we had blacklegged

they had blacklegged

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been blacklegging

you had been blacklegging

he/she/it had been blacklegging

we had been blacklegging

they had been blacklegging

PRESENT

I blackleg

you blackleg

he/she/it blacklegs

we blackleg

they blackleg

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am blacklegging

you are blacklegging

he/she/it is blacklegging

we are blacklegging

they are blacklegging

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

blacklegging

PRESENT PERFECT

I have blacklegged

you have blacklegged

he/she/it has blacklegged

we have blacklegged

they have blacklegged

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been blacklegging

you have been blacklegging

he/she/it has been blacklegging

we have been blacklegging

they have been blacklegging