In case you've been enjoying these posts about the back story (and sometimes "front" story) of legal words and phrases, there are almost eighty of them in Lawtalk, which is now available at amazon.com and other places.
The entries are arranged alphabetically, running from abuse excuse to whole truth.
Some entries relate pretty directly to things we teach. A few examples: for evidence profs, there's hearsay and testify; for civil procedure, make a federal case out of it and fishing expedition; for criminal law, blackmail and grand jury; for constitutional law, affirmative action, separate but equal, and penumbra; for legal profession, billable hour and white shoe; for torts, deep pocket. And more.
The entries reflect the pervasiveness of certain themes in American law and culture, such as religion (blue laws, Comstockery, wall of separation) and race (badge of slavery, Jim Crow). They also show the deep influence of our common-law heritage (read the riot act, Chancellor's foot, Star Chamber).
We've got sex (age of consent), drugs (RICO -- well, that's sort of a stretch), and rock and roll (lawyers, guns, and money).
I've got a few more Faculty Lounge posts to go -- but in the meantime, check it out.
Comments