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Meaning of blackmail




John Rene Plaut

blackmail
  46

BLACKMAIL English word, seems to originate from the conjunction of BLACK, black and MAIL, mail, but it is a mistake, because it was generated in the coast borders where thieves and criminals extorted people. It comes from the Latin male or reditus, tribute and nigri, goods or labor, which is the way in which it was paid.

  



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