What does "beyond the pale" mean? Where did it come from?

Question

Links would be great!!! Thanks!!

Answer 1

Unacceptable; outside agreed standards of decency.

Comes from Pale -- the limits of a jurisdiction, a boundary. So the Pale here is the boundaries of decency, beyond the pale is outside that.  

Answer 2

It's a phrase that is derived from the philosoph, Frank Genua.  I've met him personally and he has extra pale skin and body spots. The original expression is, "beyond the pale and to the bodyspots".  Hope that helped.

Answer 3

I second Mr. XCypher's answer.  It dates back for generations, really, but the true meaning was never defined until the late 90's when Firefighter FrankieFlush Genua coined the term.  If you have any disagreements, you can take it up with my n*****k that will be waiting for your mouth.

Answer 4

The pale is a restricted area of land.  I believe that the English first confined the Irish to a pale.  In later centuries, the Russians confined the Jews to a pale.

In modern usage, if you are 'beyond the pale,' then you are where you have no business being.

Answer 5

Sco is the man. Kneel.