blackshirt
noun /ˈblækʃɜːt/
/ˈblækʃɜːrt/
(also Blackshirt)
- a member of a fascist organization, especially in the 1920s and 30sCultureBlackshirt was the name people gave to any member of the British Union of Fascists, a political party started by Oswald Mosley in 1932. Members wore black uniforms, like the members of other Fascist parties in Europe. In 1936, after a lot of violent behaviour in Jewish areas of London, the wearing of uniforms by political groups was made illegal under a new Public Order Act.Word Origin1920s: so named because of the colour of the Italian Fascist uniform.