BOYCOTT : to shun, to ostracize from society or commerce
Charles C Boycott 12.3.1832 – 19.6.1897
Boycott was an agent/manager of the Irish estate of John Clifton, 3rd Earl or Erne. During a poor harvest he refused to lower rents to an amount the tenants asked for. Instead he attempted to evict those families living on the property. The attitude of the wealthy led the poor and landless to demand a fixed occupation of the homes they lived in, a fair rent and free sale. The hard line taken by Boycott resulted his being ostracized from local shops and farm workers, well guarded, had to be brought in from Ulster to do the work.
CHAUVINISM
Nicolas Chauvin, has been described as a soldier in the French army of Napoleon. He was also said to have been extremely patriotic but, it would now seem that there may not have been a Nicolas Chauvin. Rather the story of Chauvin was a myth which was used to encourage nationalism and prejudices. To day one often hears the word chauvinism used in relation to male bias.
DIESEL
Rudolf Diesel, 18.3.1858 – 29.9.1913
French/German mechanical engineer said to have been the “ father” of the diesel engine.
LEOTARD
Jules Leotard 1.3.1838 – 17.8.1870
was a French acrobat who sometimes wore “a skin tight, one piece body suit” that today bears his name.
SANDWICH
John Montagu the Earl of Sandwich, a 17th century English noble, was a keen gambler. When doing so and not wanting to lose his place in whatever he was involved in, he would call for cold meat to be placed between two slices of bread so that he could eat while he continued playing.