Etymology

blackleg

B3L1A1C3K5L1E1G2

Today it means: A fatal cattle disease caused by the soil-borne bacterium Clostridium chauvoei; symptomatic anthrax. Full definition →

First used 18th c.
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The story

From black + leg.

First known use, by meaning

  • from 18th c. A fatal cattle disease caused by the soil-borne bacterium Clostridium chauvoei; symptomatic anthrax.
  • from 18th c. A person who cheats in a game; a cheater, especially a dishonest bookmaker.
  • from 19th c. A person who takes the place of striking workers.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.