what does "beyond the pale" mean?

[TechBoyJK]

I've heard this saying a few times and don't get it.

 

[Schadenfroh]

man your beyond the pale today

 

[shenaniganz]

From urbandictionary.com

 

[JulesMaximus]

Michael Jackson?

 

[Encryptic]

It's an old expression from medieval Ireland or England, IIRC.

In the old days, they used to have a palisade or wall called "the pale" that surrounded a town, to keep the outlaws and other undesirables out. They used to refer to those people as being "beyond the pale".

Edit: The Urban Dictionary entry is pretty spot-on too. :thumbsup:

 

[TechBoyJK]

cool, thanks.

 

[Encryptic]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK
cool, thanks.

You're welcome.

Now get ye stinking arse off me forum and beyond the pale with the rest of ye bloody savages.