Definition of picket

The word "picket" has its origins in the English language and dates back to the early 16th century. The original meaning of the word was "a small wooden peg used to mark the boundary of a garden or field," derived from the Old English word "picgan," which meant "to fasten." In its early usage, the term "picket" referred to stakes or wooden pegs used to mark boundaries or as markers for hunting or fishing. Over time, the usage of the word expanded to include the idea of guarding or watching, possibly due to the association of pickets as boundary markers with the patrols who guarded these borders. The usage of the word "picket" to refer to a group of workers employed in industrial strikes to obstruct normal business activity began in the mid-19th century. These groups of workers, known as "strikers," would picket the entrance to a factory, mine, or other businesses in a peaceful protest, often for hours or even days, in the hopes of compelling owners to negotiate labor terms and conditions. Today, the meaning of the term "picket" has expanded further, and in addition to its use in relation to striking workers, it is also commonly used to refer to picket fences, boundary markers in football fields, and individuals who display the national flag or emblems as a part of public protest or ceremonial occasions. The common thread that stretches through all these concepts is that of restricting or controlling access while also serving as a marker or a symbol for something more significant.