Daylight Robbery (Origin)

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What Is the Origin of the Saying "Daylight Robbery"?

In 1696, William III of England introduced a property tax which required those living in houses with more than six windows to pay a levy. In order to avoid the tax, house owners would brick up all windows except six. (The Window Tax lasted until around 1851, and older houses with bricked-up windows are still a common sight in UK.)  As the bricked-up windows prevented some rooms from receiving any sunlight, the tax was referred to as daylight robbery.

Examples of Use:

• I need a new hairdresser because that was daylight robbery!
• The merchandise is so expensive. It's daylight robbery.
• Petrol is how much? That's daylight robbery!

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