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SpongeBarb Posted 20 years ago
Vocabulary

during one's pleasure

I read that mystery writer Anne Perry was a convicted murderer:

"As they were too young to be considered for the death penalty under New Zealand law at the time, they were convicted and sentenced to be "detained during Her Majesty's pleasure". In practice, this sentence meant they were to be detained at the discretion of the Minister of Justice."

Does 'during Her Majesty's pleasure' mean 'as Her Majesty pleases', 'however Her Majesty likes'? I imagine it a legal term or something; do people use it in daily life?
  

Top answer

Yes, that's what it means. In the old days, the British monarch locked enemies up in the Tower of London literally for as long as he liked. Nowadays, it is a set legal term meaning what it says: 'at the discretion of the Minister of Justice' or equivalent justice department in the government of various British Commonwealth nations.

— Mister Micawber

  • Yes, that's what it means.
  • In the old days, the British monarch locked enemies up in the Tower of London literally for as long as he liked.
  • Nowadays, it is a set legal term meaning what it says: 'at the discretion of the Minister of Justice' or equivalent justice department in the government of various British Commonwealth nations.
  • I don't suppose we use it in daily life unless such a topic-- criminal penalties and incarcerations, etc-- arises.
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2 Answers
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Yes, that's what it means. In the old days, the British monarch locked enemies up in the Tower of London literally for as long as he liked. Nowadays, it is a set legal term meaning what it says: 'at the discretion of the Minister of Justice' or equivalent justice department in the government of various British Commonwealth nations. I don't suppose we use it in daily life unless such a topic--
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Thanks Mister Micawber.
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