Romanette

An interesting highlight from recent oral arguments in United States v. Hayes:

In discussing the statute at issue, 18 U.S.C. 922 (a)(33)(A)(i) and (ii), justices had been referring, awkwardly, to sections "little eye" and "little eye eye." But [Assistant to the Solicitor General Nicole] Saharsky had a far better way. She called them "Romanette one and two," using an obscure but self-explaining and almost whimsical term for a lower-case Roman numeral.

"Romanette?" asked Chief Justice John Roberts quizzically.
"Oh, little Roman numeral," Saharsky replied offhandedly. No biggie.
"I've never heard that before!" said Roberts. "That's ... Romanette."

I'll add my name to the list of people who have never heard this term. But I could see where it would be exceedingly useful, and gladly add it to my vocabulary.

(Via Volokh.)

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 (0)

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