Pronunciation: [wˈa͡ɪtbɔ͡ɪˌɪzəm] (IPA) 
The word "Whiteboyism" is spelled with a "w" at the beginning, followed by "h-i-t-e-b-o-y-i-s-m". The "w" is pronounced as /waɪt/, the "h" is silent, and the "i" is pronounced as /aɪ/. The "t" is pronounced as /t/ and the "e" as /i/. The "b-o-y" part is pronounced as /bɔɪ/, and the "i-s-m" as /ɪzəm/. The word refers to a movement in 18th-century Ireland which sought to oppose and undermine British rule.
Whiteboyism refers to a historical, primarily Irish, agrarian movement that emerged in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. While there is no universally agreed-upon definition, it generally involved secret societies or groups engaging in acts of rural rebellion, resistance, and protest against landowners, tithe collectors, and oppressive landlords. Whiteboyism was characterized by clandestine activities, including midnight raids, intimidation, threats, violence, and sabotage.
The term "Whiteboy" supposedly originates from the white smocks worn by these individuals to conceal their identities during nocturnal operations. The movement was predominantly composed of impoverished Catholics who suffered from oppressive economic policies, oppressive taxes, high rents, evictions, and other injustices inflicted by landlords and authorities.
Whiteboyism carried out a campaign of civil disobedience, aiming to secure better living and working conditions for the rural poor. The methods utilized were often drastic, including livestock maiming, arson, and destruction of property, with the intention of forcing reforms.
While initially a rural phenomenon, the movement eventually spread to urban areas, adapting to address the issues faced by the growing urban working class. Over time, Whiteboyism lost its cohesive, organized nature, and ceased to exist as a prominent force. Nevertheless, its legacy persisted through the broader Irish nationalist movement. Today, "Whiteboyism" continues to symbolize a period of rural rebellion and resistance against oppressive systems, as well as a symbol of Irish nationalism and desire for social justice.
The term "Whiteboyism" originates from Ireland in the late 18th century, specifically during the period of agrarian unrest known as the Whiteboy movement. The movement emerged as a form of peasant resistance against the oppressive landlords and socio-economic conditions prevalent in rural Ireland at the time.
The name "Whiteboy" was derived from the white smocks or shirts worn by participants in the movement. It was an agrarian secret society, with members often operating clandestinely during the night, wearing disguises and using violent tactics against landlords and their agents.
As a result of the Whiteboy movement's activities, the British authorities and landowning class viewed them as a threat to law and order. The term "Whiteboyism" thus came into common usage to describe the movement's ideology, practices, and the broader social unrest it represented.
