Hung jury

Posted by ESC on February 23, 2009 at 14:36

In Reply to: Hung jury posted by Graham Cambray on February 23, 2009 at 12:00:

: : Does anyone know where the term or phrase "hung jury" came from?

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: I don't think this really qualifies as a phrase. "Hang" has a lot of (largely related) meanings. Here, "hung" means unresolved, in contention etc. Not it's most common meaning, but a perfectly valid one. (GC)

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I couldn't find it in my references. Merriam Webster online, under hung, adjective, says "hung" has been used to mean unable to make a decision since 1848.

• Hung jury Victoria S Dennis 23/February/09