E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Os’tracis’m.
Oyster-shelling, blackballing, or expelling. Clis’thens gave the people of Attica the power of removing from the state, without making a definite charge, any leader of the people likely to subvert the government. Each citizen wrote his vote on an earthenware table (ostracon), whence the term.
s gave the people of Attica the power of removing from the state, without making a definite charge, any leader of the people likely to subvert the government. Each citizen wrote his vote on an earthenware table (ostracon), whence the term.
