How Do You Spell BLACKMAIL?

Pronunciation: [blˈakme͡ɪl] (IPA)

The word "blackmail" is spelled with a "ck" instead of just a "k" because of its etymology. The term originates from the Scottish word "mail" which means rent or payment. In the Middle Ages, Scottish chieftains would demand payment from those who lived on their land, known as "blackmail" as it was often collected by more nefarious means. The "ck" spelling was likely added to reflect the Scottish pronunciation. IPA phonetic transcription for "blackmail" is /ˈblæk.meɪl/.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
Similar spelling words
Plural
Conjugate verb
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BLACKMAIL Meaning and Definition

  1. Blackmail is a term that refers to the act of obtaining something, typically money or valuable items, from someone else by coercive or deceitful means. It involves threatening to reveal sensitive or damaging information about the victim unless the demanded sum or favor is provided. Blackmail is considered a form of extortion or social manipulation, aiming to exert control over the victim and exploit their vulnerability or fear of public humiliation.

    The term "blackmail" derives from the fusion of two words: "black" refers to the malicious, illegal, or morally objectionable nature of the act, while "mail" dates back to the medieval period when communication was often done through written letters. Historically, these letters would include threats or compromising information, which were sent to intimidate or demand concessions from the recipient.

    Blackmail can take various forms, including physical, digital, or verbal threats. It may involve disclosing confidential or scandalous information, damaging someone's reputation, or instigating legal action against the victim. The motive behind blackmail can be personal gain, revenge, coercion, or manipulation of a situation.

    Blackmail is considered a criminal offense in many jurisdictions due to its harmful nature and violation of an individual's rights. Laws and legal systems are in place to protect individuals from being unjustly coerced or manipulated. Perpetrators of blackmail can face significant legal consequences, including imprisonment, fines, or other penalties depending on the severity of the offense.

Top Common Misspellings for BLACKMAIL *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for BLACKMAIL

Etymology of BLACKMAIL

The word "blackmail" originated in the mid-16th century in England. It is a combination of two words: "black" and "mail".

The term "mail" initially referred to a tribute or rent paid in feudal England, typically in the form of goods or services. However, over time, it evolved to encompass any kind of regular payment or tax.

The word "black" here is used in the sense of illegal or illicit, suggesting that this type of payment was not legitimate or lawful.

Therefore, "blackmail" originally referred to the illegal payment or tribute that tenants or serfs had to make to an outlaw or freebooter who would exact such payments under threat, coercion, or force. It eventually came to specifically denote the act of demanding money or other concessions by threat of revealing damaging or incriminating information.

Idioms with the word BLACKMAIL

  • blackmail sm into doing sth The idiom "blackmail someone into doing something" means to exert pressure or use threats or coercion against someone in order to make them do something they do not want to do or that is not in their best interest. It often involves using the threat of revealing damaging or compromising information about the person if they do not comply with the demands.
  • blackmail into doing The idiom "blackmail into doing" refers to the act of pressuring or coercing someone into performing a particular action or task by using threats or blackmail. It implies forcing someone to do something against their will or better judgment by using compromising information or threats to reveal damaging secrets or take harmful actions.
  • blackmail (someone) into (something) The idiom "blackmail (someone) into (something)" refers to the act of coercing or pressuring someone into doing something against their will or better judgment by using threats, manipulation, or the possibility of revealing damaging or incriminating information about them. It implies forcing or compelling someone to comply with certain demands or actions under the fear or threat of consequences.
  • blackmail someone into doing something The idiom "blackmail someone into doing something" refers to the act of coercing or pressuring someone into fulfilling a task or taking a particular action by threatening to reveal information or secrets that could harm them or their reputation. It involves manipulating someone’s vulnerability or fear in order to get them to comply with certain demands.

Similar spelling words for BLACKMAIL

Plural form of BLACKMAIL is BLACKMAILS

Conjugate verb Blackmail

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have blackmailed
you would have blackmailed
he/she/it would have blackmailed
we would have blackmailed
they would have blackmailed
I would have blackmail
you would have blackmail
he/she/it would have blackmail
we would have blackmail
they would have blackmail

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been blackmailing
you would have been blackmailing
he/she/it would have been blackmailing
we would have been blackmailing
they would have been blackmailing

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would blackmail
you would blackmail
he/she/it would blackmail
we would blackmail
they would blackmail

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be blackmailing
you would be blackmailing
he/she/it would be blackmailing
we would be blackmailing
they would be blackmailing

FUTURE

I will blackmail
you will blackmail
he/she/it will blackmail
we will blackmail
they will blackmail

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be blackmailing
you will be blackmailing
he/she/it will be blackmailing
we will be blackmailing
they will be blackmailing

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have blackmailed
you will have blackmailed
he/she/it will have blackmailed
we will have blackmailed
they will have blackmailed

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been blackmailing
you will have been blackmailing
he/she/it will have been blackmailing
we will have been blackmailing
they will have been blackmailing

IMPERATIVE

we Let's blackmail
you blackmail
we let´s blackmail

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to blackmail

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was blackmailing
you were blackmailing
he/she/it was blackmailing
we were blackmailing
they were blackmailing

PAST PARTICIPLE

blackmailed

PAST PERFECT

I had blackmailed
you had blackmailed
he/she/it had blackmailed
we had blackmailed
they had blackmailed

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been blackmailing
you had been blackmailing
he/she/it had been blackmailing
we had been blackmailing
they had been blackmailing

PRESENT

I blackmail
you blackmail
he/she/it blackmails
we blackmail
they blackmail

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am blackmailing
you are blackmailing
he/she/it is blackmailing
we are blackmailing
they are blackmailing

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

blackmailing

PRESENT PERFECT

I have blackmailed
you have blackmailed
he/she/it has blackmailed
we have blackmailed
they have blackmailed

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been blackmailing
you have been blackmailing
he/she/it has been blackmailing
we have been blackmailing
they have been blackmailing

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it blackmail

SIMPLE PAST

I blackmailed
you blackmailed
he/she/it blackmailed
we blackmailed
they blackmailed

Infographic

Correct spelling for blackmail
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