Definition
A legislative session held after an election but before newly elected members take office, where defeated or retiring lawmakers vote on policy with zero accountability. Democracy's equivalent of a going-out-of-business sale.
Example Usage
During the lame duck session, outgoing senators rushed to confirm judicial nominees before losing their majority.
Origin
Extended from 'lame duck' (elected official serving out their term after losing re-election or retiring), referencing 18th-century London Stock Exchange slang for bankrupt traders.
Fun Fact
The 20th Amendment was passed specifically to shorten lame duck periods because defeated legislators in 1932-33 were blocking Depression-era relief measures.
Related Terms
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See “lame duck session” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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