As is the case for any vocation or avocation, the law is filled with Words that make us go huh! in the night (but not with this huh and surely not to be confused with d’oh, unless you use the Word incorrectly while speaking to a judge in a crowded courtroom).

We’re not talking about those legal Latin words and phrases that can make even (especially) legal writing gurus, who usually favor plain speaking and writing, roll their eyes.

There are many law dictionaries in the wide world of the web and there is a new edition of Black’s Law Dictionary on the horizon (the 9th, to be precise, though I sincerely doubt it will have the impact of Beethoven’s 9th symphony).

Lately, I’ve found the online dictionary at Law dot com to be very useful:

Elisor
Desuetude
Misprision

But don’t forget, not unlike crossword puzzle judges, law judges too specify which dictionary rules: see my previous OLR blog post on Dictionaries.

Poor little robot! First it’s stolen (kidnapped?) and then it’s drowned (murdered?)

“Update (January 11, 2009): Deputies Recover Stolen Robot
PIO: Sgt. Bob Ray

At 4:44 p.m., Sheriff’s Deputies responded to Commonwealth Lake at the 13000 block of SW Foothill Drive concerning an object in the water. A citizen called the Sheriff’s Office to report what appeared to be a generator submerged underwater. When the deputy arrived, he identified the item as the robot reported stolen out of a vehicle on January 5, 2009 from the Aloha area. (The original press release is listed below). …” (full media release)

Another reason to read Bruce Schneier on Security – the (often) dark humor of the people who Comment on his blog. See, for example, this post Food in Defense of a Crime and the Comments. (The Comment I quote in the title field was posted at 7:44 on 12/22/08.)

What a great blog! Umbrella Today?

Who said blogging had to be complicated, at least not in its presentation, though, maybe (often) terribly complex in its execution.

Thanks to Tom Mighell’s Inter Alia for the link to a great laugh and charming blog.

Great story from the NYT about bus travel: Jet Set, Meet the Bus Bunch

AALL will be meeting in D.C. next year – how about some side trips to Baltimore, Philly, New York, and Boston?

PI BUZZ brings us their Database of the Day: Insurance Providers Receivership Information

You have to laugh because PI Buzz’s Tamara hits it right on the head when she says:

“Before your eyes glaze over, your head goes into free-fall, allow me to point you to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) database of insurers who have been in receivership. This newly initiated project to get all state insurance commissioners to supply data on insurance providers licensed in their states, now contains historical data and will expand to include balance sheet information of active receiverships….”

But this is important and useful info and ALMOST as exciting as reading about legislative history!

Bet you thought I forgot Bedsworth this month. I did! (It’s been some month, I tell you.) But here he is, in all his robed and wigged glory:

Next Step: Ruby Slippers, by Justice William W. Bedsworth: “British judicial attire will change come October; Beds likes the changes.”

New rules for Oregon Driver Licenses and IDs from DMV:

“As of July 1, 2008, all applicants for driver licenses, instruction permits and ID cards – including renewals and replacements – must provide proof that they are citizens of the United States or are in the country legally, in addition to other requirements…” (link)