Definition
The right of legislators to send mail at public expense using their signature instead of postage, theoretically for official business but conveniently useful for election-year constituent outreach. It's free advertising disguised as public service.
Example Usage
The congressman's franking privilege usage mysteriously tripled in the six months before his reelection campaign officially launched.
Origin
From the French 'franc,' meaning free; practice dates to 17th-century British Parliament
Fun Fact
In 1973, Congress spent more on franked mail than the entire legislative branch's budget in 1960, leading to reforms that theoretically restrict campaign use but somehow newsletters still flood mailboxes every election cycle.
Related Terms
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See “franking privilege” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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