In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.
EXTORTING
Verb
extorting
present participle of extort
Source: Wiktionary
EXTORT
Ex*tort", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Extorted; p. pr. & vb. n. Extorting.] Etym: [L. extortus, p. p. of extorquere to twist or wrench out, to extort; ex out + torquere to turn about, twist. See Torsion.]
1. To wrest from an unwilling person by physical force, menace, duress, torture, or any undue or illegal exercise of power or ingenuity; to wrench away (from); to tear away; to wring (from); to exact; as, to extort contributions from the vanquished; to extort confessions of guilt; to extort a promise; to extort payment of a debt.
2. (Law)
Definition: To get by the offense of extortion. See Extortion, 2.
Ex*tort", v. i.
Definition: To practice extortion. [Obs.] Spenser.
Ex*tort", p. p. & a. Etym: [L. extortus. p. p.]
Definition: Extorted. [Obs.] Spenser.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
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