CleverNickName
Limit Break Dancing
When I look at the etymology of blackmail, it has nothing to do with armor. In Middle English, the word "mal" or "male" meant rent, or tribute.
Huh. I learned it differently (this isn't the first time I was misinformed by a teacher.) Something about knights who couldn't afford proper upkeep on their armor and the armor turning black? I never bothered to look it up until now.
The reference to rent/tribute makes more sense to me. And brings us back around to lifestyle expenses once again.