Philadelphia lawyer — A colloquial term that was initially a compliment to the legal expertise and competence of an attorney due to the outstanding reputation of the Philadelphia bar during colonial times. More recently the term has become a disparaging label for an… … Law dictionary
Philadelphia lawyer — ☆ Philadelphia lawyer n. [so named in reference to Andrew Hamilton, of Philadelphia, who obtained acquittal (1735) of J. P. Zenger from libel charges] Informal a clever, shrewd, or tricky lawyer, esp. one skilled in taking advantage of legal… … English World dictionary
Philadelphia lawyer — Lawyer Law yer, n. [From {Law}, like bowyer, fr. bow.] 1. One versed in the laws, or a practitioner of law; one whose profession is to conduct lawsuits for clients, or to advise as to prosecution or defence of lawsuits, or as to legal rights and… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Philadelphia Lawyer — During the eighteenth century a popular belief held that a Philadelphia lawyer was an awesome legal adversary. The reputation of a Philadelphia lawyer carried with it a picture of great talent and the ability to expose the weaknesses of… … Dictionary of eponyms
philadelphia lawyer — noun Usage: usually capitalized P : an exceptionally competent lawyer language that … cannot be correctly and definitely interpreted even by a Philadelphia lawyer Journal of Accountancy especially : a shrewd lawyer versed in the intricacies of… … Useful english dictionary
Philadelphia Lawyer (song) — Infobox Standard title=Philadelphia Lawyer comment=Reno Blues image size= caption= writer=Woody Guthrie composer= lyricist= published= written=1937 language=English form= original artist=Woody Guthrie recorded by=Woody Guthrie, Rosalie Sorrels,… … Wikipedia
Philadelphia lawyer — noun Etymology: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Date: 1788 a lawyer knowledgeable in even the most minute aspects of the law … New Collegiate Dictionary
Philadelphia Lawyer — Andrew Hamilton, Philadelphia attorney who in 1734 and 1735 successfully defended New York printer Peter Zenger whose newspaper criticized British colonial policy in America Zenger had been unsuccessful in getting a New York lawyer to take his… … Eponyms, nicknames, and geographical games
Philadelphia lawyer — a lawyer of outstanding ability at exploiting legal fine points and technicalities. [1780 90, Amer.] * * * … Universalium
Philadelphia lawyer — Synonyms and related words: Artful Dodger, Yankee horse trader, ambulance chaser, apologist, arguer, argufier, casuist, charmer, controversialist, crafty rascal, debater, disceptator, disputant, dodger, fox, glib tongue, guardhouse lawyer, horse… … Moby Thesaurus
