heckler’s veto
n.— «The late Harry Kalven Jr. of the University of Chicago Law School invented the phrase “heckler’s veto” to characterize Mr. Taffel’s position. One taking that position says to the would-be demonstrator: You must not march because if you do I will become violent.» —“About Nazi Marches and the ‘Heckler’s Veto’” by Staughton Lynd in Niles, Ohio New York Times Sept. 30, 1977. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Language is always evolving, and that’s also true for American Sign Language. A century ago, the sign for “telephone” was one fist below your mouth and the other at your ear, as if you’re holding an old-fashioned candlestick...
A listener in Unadilla, New York, says her husband, whose family is French-Canadian, uses the phrase That burns my onions when something irritates him. There are several kitchen-related metaphors used to express anger, including that steams my...