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
What’s up with ketchup? The shifting history and spelling of the name of this condiment. For centuries, ketchup was a fishy sauce originating in Asia—the tomatoes came only later! Plus, a new book shows what’s lost when a language dies: when there...
Amid a 1796 heat wave, Jane Austen wrote to her sister, “What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance.” This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Jane Austen’s Continual State of Inelegance in a...