Since 1992
Print and digital marketing
By Barbara McAllister
Word of the Day: Recuse
A couple of years ago, “recuse” was the top searched word on the internet, thanks to the political activity at the time. The U.s. attorney general recused himself from any Russia investigation hearings while others refused to recuse.
Recuse is a legal term meaning to withdraw oneself from a case because of a possible conflict of interest or lack of impartiality. The word derives from the Latin “recusare,” to refuse or make an objection. It differs from “excuse” in that excuse is to pardon or forgive, and recuse is to reject or challenge.
When I wrote this, spell check did not recognize the word “recuse” and autocorrect kept annoyingly changing it to “rescue.” Spell check did, however, recognize the word “recusant” which has come to mean a nonconformist or anyone who refuses to accept or obey established authority. Originally it was the term used in England applied to those who remained loyal to the pope and the Roman Catholic Church. The Recusancy Acts began during the reign of Elizabeth I and imposed penalties on those who did not participate in Anglican religious activity or attend Anglican services. Punishment for recusants included imprisonment, fines and confiscation of property. The act was repealed in1650, and accused recusants were excused.
