IS THE HIGH COURT SITTING, OR STANDING?
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) So you think the United States Supreme Court has problems today?
One hundred years ago it seems, the justices didn't know if they were sitting or standing. The Evening Star reports "the Supreme Court has decided...not to revise the docorous* monologue by which its crier announces the convening of its sessions."
Ever since the origination of the USSC, the crier's 'oyez'** had been coupled with "a warning for all those having business before the court to...give their attention, for the court is now sitting."
Recently, however, since a change was made that requires the justices to stand during the announcement, the crier changed 'the court is now sitting' to 'the court is now in session.'
That did not 'sit' well with older justices whose objections led to the crier going back to saying 'the court is now sitting.'
So even though the justices are standing, the crier says they are sitting. Talk about confusing.
*docorous does not seem to be a word, but "decorous" is, so this must be a typo. Decorous is defined as "in keeping with good taste & propriety."
**oyez, Fr. ouri (to hear) meaning 'Hear ye.' A traditional interjection said 2 or 3 times in succession to introduce the opening of a court of law.
SOURCE
"Supreme Court 'Now Sitting' Old Cry Is Reversed," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., February 23, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
