Silver Tongues

the human side of judging, from USA Today, via the Wall Street Journal's Law Blog:

Justices' mixed phrases on tip of silver tongues
Posted 4/16/2006 10:35 PM ET
By Joan Biskupic, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — At the Supreme Court, a popular stop for visitors to the nation's capital each spring, the justices have a language all their own during oral arguments. But amid lofty phrases like res judicata are attempts by the justices and lawyers to bring the discussion down to earth.

That's when metaphors can get mixed, expressions become strange, or a turned phrase just keeps on turning — often prompting giggles from spectators in the red upholstered benches. Courtroom arguments offer plenty of evidence, and they resume today as the justices return from a two-week recess.

Examples follow.