I've been struggling for a while with trying to find an alternative word. I used it in a tour guide I wrote for the local courthouse, but one of the guides complained it was too difficult to say when you are nervous (the guides only do it once a year, they are volunteers and that is the only open day). It isn't even in my thesaurus. The only things I can think of are 'manifestation' and 'personification' but they don't fit. Replacing it with a phrase is unsatisfactory because the whole ruddy thing is too long as it is and more information should be included next year.

The context is as follows:

An explanation that when the public bows ,apparently to the judge or magistrates (as they enter and leave court) they are actually bowing to the Queen's arms behind the Bench and that the return bow is a courtesy, just like the return bowing of the priest standing in front of an alter, when the congregation has just bowed to the altar, is followed by

"The traditional conceptualization has been of the monarch as the source and fountain of justice with the Sovereign's Majesty deemed alsways to be present in court. So much so, that when the present Queen wanted to visit a London magistrates' court some years ago, the court had to put on a mock trial, it wasn't considered appropriate for her to be there when a real court was in session."

then it goes on to a different topic.

Any help in finding an alternative word or rewording this to make it clearer, less pompous and get rid of the c word - but no longer - would be greatly appreciated - I've been mulling it over for some time and got nowhere at all.



Edited 4 times. Last edit at 11/17/05 08:20AM by marian2.

Marian, I suggest 'concept' would do the job. I'll bet there wouldn't be one tourist in ten thousand who would quibble with a court guide over the difference betweeen concept and conceptualization. I'll think about general rewording.

A parallel concept that some might find interesting is that judges on assize in England [on circuit round the County courts to hear criminal cases] used to be considered to represent the presence of the monarch. Maybe they still are. Many years ago I heard an anecdote about a welcoming dinner given for one such judge and his associate [legal assistant]. When the loyal toast was proposed, the associate started to rise to his feet, and the judge quickly said to him "Sit down you fool, we are the Queen!"

"The traditional conceptualization has been of the monarch as the source and fountain of justice with the Sovereign's Majesty deemed alsways to be present in court. So much so, that when the present Queen wanted to visit a London magistrates' court some years ago, the court had to put on a mock trial, it wasn't considered appropriate for her to be there when a real court was in session."

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The traditional British thinking has been to elevate the monarchy to the point that they are considered a source of justice. So much so that when the present Queen wanted to visit a London magistrates' court ...



Les



Edited 2 times. Last edit at 11/17/05 07:06PM by lg.

Les, that's fine for us Americans, but them there UKers like to add extra words and extra "U"s to words as well (The Roulling Stounes for example)

Yeah, I guess I was a bit brief, Jouhnnie.


Les

So the Queen couldn't go to court because she was already there? That would serve as a good excuse to miss jury duty!

In Robert A. Heinlein's Space Cadet, the space military has 4 heroes whose names are called at every roll.

pam

If you should be so unfortunate as to find yourself before the court, remember:
your entire life and future depends upon twelve people possessed of so little intelligence that they were not able to evade jury duty.

>so little intelligence that they were not able to evade jury duty

Good point, out of approximately 200 names called at my jury selection meeting only 30 or so of us were able to serve. Most were working for employers who didn't compensate for jury duty, and many of the others were self-employed or stay at home moms taking care of young children.

I felt unfortunate to not have an excuse, but was relieved when called upon in the jury box and given a second chance. I then showed sufficient prejudice toward the prosecuting attorney to be summarily dismissed without further consideration.


Les

Marian2

"Tradition holds that the monarch is...." or "Historically, the monarch is (has been) seen as...."

JoeT

>"The traditional conceptualization has been of the monarch as ...

"The traditional view/philosophy/opinion/conviction/attitude/feeling/sentiment/position

Still, one could offer an award for anyone capable of saying 'traditional conceptualization' both without a stumble and with a straight face.

Kidding! Just kidding.

'traditional conceptualization'

ISN'T THAT GETTING PREGNANT THE OLD FASHIONED WAY???????

No, I think that's contraceptualization, you're talking about Johnnie.


Les

oh yeah, those Nicaraguan guys

I think Joe T got nearest to what I want to say. Thanks very much to all of you for helping.

Marian