Beyond the pale... (Was: do { quit; } else { })

In article <vsu5dj$19k7e$1@dont-email.me>,
David Brown  <david.brown@hesbynett.no> wrote:
...

The language he uses in this thread is just beyond the pale (*) in terms of
rudeness and non-civility.  If his target was anyone else (and especially
if it was an old regular), we'd probably have 20 posts already condemning
his language.
 
(*) I think that's the right spelling - for a phrase I've only heard and
have never seen written down.  Or is it "pail" ?
 

>
It's even more off-topic, but I like to answer questions when asked -
yes, you are correct that it is "pale", from an old word for post or
fence (with similar etymology to "post", as in "wooden post").  Thus
"beyond the pale" is outside the borders or boundaries of your little
bit of civilisation.

Thanks.  That is useful to know.

But then I wonder if there is any connection between the word "pale"
meaning "post" and its modern meaning (as in "A Whiter Shade of Pale").

--
The randomly chosen signature file that would have appeared here is more than 4
lines long.  As such, it violates one or more Usenet RFCs.  In order to remain
in compliance with said RFCs, the actual sig can be found at the following URL:
http://user.xmission.com/~gazelle/Sigs/FiftyPercent