RIBBONISM Meaning and
Definition
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Ribbonism refers to a nineteenth-century secret Irish agrarian society that emerged primarily in the 1820s and 1830s. The term "ribbon" is believed to have arisen from the wearing of conspicuous green ribbons by its members, which symbolized their allegiance to the Irish Catholic cause.
Ribbonism was primarily a socio-political movement focused on addressing agrarian grievances and advocating for tenant rights in Ireland, particularly in rural areas. It gained momentum during a time of increasing agrarian unrest and discontentment amongst Irish Catholics, largely as a response to the oppressive land system imposed by absentee landlords and the exploitation of tenants.
Members of Ribbonism, known as Ribbonmen, sought to protect the interests of agrarian laborers and promote their rights through clandestine activities, which often entailed acts of intimidation and violence against those perceived to be oppressors. They attempted to secure more favorable conditions for tenant farmers, resist evictions, and enforce a fairer distribution of land and resources.
In addition to their agrarian focus, Ribbonmen also espoused nationalist sentiments and were supportive of the Irish independence movement. However, the society was not exclusively nationalist, as its primary concerns centered on agrarian grievances. Ribbonism declined in the later part of the nineteenth century, supplanted by other political and social movements such as the Irish Land League.
Overall, Ribbonism represents a significant chapter in Irish history, embodying the struggles and aspirations of Catholic tenant farmers and their quest for social justice and land reform in an oppressive agrarian system.
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The principles of a secret association or combination in Ireland, avowedly unlawful, and having violent objects in view. Note.-Ribbon, in this sense, is probably a mere corruption of old Eng. Ribald, a word used to designate the humblest class of foot-soldiers in the composition of the armies of former times, and thus applied to the soldiers of the army of James II. as an opprobrious epither, or to his partisans; old F. ribauld, a loose brutal character; Dut. rabaut, a rascal; the supposed origin from some distinguishing badge or piece of bunting is not so probable.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for RIBBONISM
- Ribbinism
- eibbonism
- dibbonism
- fibbonism
- tibbonism
- 5ibbonism
- 4ibbonism
- rubbonism
- rjbbonism
- rkbbonism
- robbonism
- r9bbonism
- r8bbonism
- rivbonism
- rinbonism
- rihbonism
- rigbonism
- ribvonism
- ribnonism
- ribhonism
Etymology of RIBBONISM
The word "Ribbonism" comes from the term "ribbonmen", which originally referred to members of a secret society called the "Ribbon Society". The Ribbon Society was a predominantly Catholic and agrarian organization that emerged in Ireland in the 19th century. The society played a significant role in resisting British rule and advocating for Catholic rights in a predominantly Protestant and British-controlled country.
The term "ribbon" in "ribbonmen" was derived from the symbol of the organization, which was a green ribbon worn by its members. This green ribbon represented Ireland and its nationalistic ideals. Over time, "Ribbonism" became the commonly used word to describe the activities, beliefs, and secret society involved in the Irish agrarian resistance movement.
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