CultureJuly 17, 2026
racketeering
/ˈrækɪtɪərɪŋ/
Definition
The act of operating an illegal business or engaging in a series of criminal activities, typically involving extortion or organized schemes.
Etymology
The term comes from 'racket,' an American English slang term dating to the early 20th century referring to an illegal scheme. The suffix '-ing' turns it into the noun form describing the practice of managing such criminal enterprises.
In the news
In the article, the term is used to describe one of the specific federal criminal convictions for which R. Kelly is currently serving a prison sentence. It highlights the serious legal nature of the organized illicit activities he was found guilty of committing.
Why an R. Kelly Clemency Could Spark a Surprising Cultural Embrace
Read the full article ↗The Root