The use of 'scab' as an insult actually dates to medieval Europe, where diseased skin was deemed a sign of a corrupt character, leading English writers to use it as slang for scoundrels.
In the 19th century, American workers adopted 'scab' to vilify those who refused to join unions or worked during strikes; it was heavily featured in periodicals and pamphlets.
Labor's scabs were among the first Americans called sellouts for betraying their own, showing how deeply engrained these labels are in labor culture.
Any labor action today will inevitably lead to someone being labeled as a scab, illustrating how the term is still used to enforce class solidarity.
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