Did a friend tell you the government is passing a mandate that limits freedom? You could say, "the law is an ass," to show your disdain for the action. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The expression "the law is an ass" means the application of the law goes against common sense. It means that a law or government recommendation is contrary to the benefit of the people and unnecessary or ridiculous. Saying "the law is an ass" means you have no respect for the law, the legal system, or the government.
Example Usage
"I can't believe the government is passing mandates that can limit people's freedom and constitutional rights. The law is an ass, and we must do something about it before it's too late."
"I don't care what the president says. He's not taking my guns. The law is an ass, and they can claw my weapons from my cold dead hands."
"The government lets open-air drug markets exist because they don't want to appear like they don't care about the homeless. What about the taxpayer's safety? The law is an ass."
"The law is an ass. Did you hear they're hiring more IRS agents to audit the people, but they let these mega-corporations get away with paying no taxes? The game is rigged."
"The government doesn't care about the people. They only care about money. That's why all the senators are multimillionaires, despite earning salaries of $200,00 per year. The law is an ass."
"The state and the federal government is a mess. The people are more divided than ever before because of political tactics. The law is an ass."
"One day, the people will realize they've been hoodwinked, and they'll rise up. The law is an ass, and they deserve to lose their power and authority."
Origin
The expression "the law is an ass" originates from the English author Charles Dickens and his classic story, "Oliver Twist." Dickens penned "Oliver Twist' in 1838, a well-renowned book with several screenplays commemorating the novel.
The phrase appears as follows in the story.
"The law supposes that your wife acts under your direction" "If the law supposes that," said Mr. Bumble, squeezing his hat emphatically in both hands, "the law is an ass - an idiot."
While most people assume Dickens is the original source for the phrase, he wasn't the first to use it. The original use of the saying appears in Revenge for Honour by George Chapman, published in 1654, where it reads as follows.
"Ere he shall lose an eye for such a trifle... For doing deeds of nature! I'm ashamed. The law is such an ass."
Phrases Similar to The Law is an Ass
- I fought the law and the law won.
- The law doesn’t care about the people.
Phrases Opposite to The Law is an Ass
- The law is for the people.
What is the Correct Saying?
- The law is an ass.
Ways People May Say The Law is an Ass Incorrectly
The saying "the law is an ass" doesn't refer to the law being someone one's butt. The word "ass" refers to a donkey, not anatomy. An ass is slow and unintelligent, describing how the law also has these characteristics.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase The Law is an Ass
You can use the phrase "the law is an ass" when you want to ridicule or mock the law or people in authority. The term suits social and professional situations. For instance, you could say, "the law is an ass" at work when an employee tells you the management wants to pass a rule that makes it harder for your to do your job.
Or you could use it with friends when people tell you how the government introduced mandates limiting your freedom. The phrase is a way of bringing ridicule and anarchy to a situation and the potential of starting an anti-authoritarian movement.