Why is money paid to prevent a secret from being exposed called 'blackmail?'

sequoianoir

Black + mail (a piece of money) A certain rate of money, corn, cattle, or other thing, anciently paid, in the north of England and south of Scotland, to certain men who were allied to robbers, or moss troopers, to be by them protected from pillage. (Eng. Law) Black rent, or rent paid in corn, flesh, or the lowest coin, as opposed to "white rent", which was paid in silver Sep 18 03, 6:35 PM

mochyn

i won't tell you unless you pay me first http://www.idiomsite.com/blackmail.htm Sep 18 03, 7:17 PM

Hamlet.

That's not blackmail, that's extortion... Sep 18 03, 10:37 PM