What is in a legal name?

[PeterGustafsson]

Hi!

Inq wrote in the FairTax thread:

I'm of the same mind as telk: the name alone is enough to make me clap a hand to my wallet. Politicians certainly do adore the art of euphemism-as-camouflage.

I am completely with Inq here.

I also not that this is something that varies a lot from country to country. In USA, there are many laws/legal cases named after the principals (Roe VS. Wade), after the law creators (Gramm-Rudman law), and after the image that the law creators wanted to project about the law (Patriot Act). Not that I have checked it numerically, but this seems to be done to similar extent by both parties. I personally dislike this kind of newspeak.

In contrast, this is extremely uncommon in Sweden - here all laws get names after their starting year, and a serial number (example: law 2004:325). I can only think of one law that has gotten another type of name, and then only in the papers.

Those of you in other countries - how is it done in your country? Is it the US. or Sw. system, or something in between? Which system do you prefer, and why? Any idea on why countries differ in this respect?


Have a nice time!

Peter Gustafsson

[Gav]

Bills are normally given a snappy title suffixed with the year they were passed (or is it proposed? I can never remember). Such as the "Celluloid and Cinematograph Film Act 1922". That was just first piece of legislation that popped up. There are controvery's about the naming of bills from time to time, but the real controversy surrounds the content; which is considered to be far more important.

Government strategy, especially during election years, causes the most debate surrounding names.

[jeff]

I second the above sentiments, and strongly encourage everyone read George Orwell's "Politics and the English Language", especially on how language is misused for politics, specifically (in his words) "the defense of the indefensible". The essay can be found in many places, one of which is http://www.protrainco.com/info/essay...nglishlang.htm