kangaroo court
idiom (usually derogatory)

- an unofficial court set up by a group of people, especially in a prison, trade union, or other organization, to deal with a disagreement or with a member of the group who is considered to have broken the rules

-  a mock court in which the principles of law and justice are disregarded or perverted

- a court marked by irresponsible, unauthorized, or irregular status or procedures

- judgment or punishment given outside of legal procedure

The Cambridge Dictionary / Merriam-Webster

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PHRASE ORIGIN

The term "kangaroo court" is an idiomatic expression that refers to a mock or illegitimate court that lacks proper legal procedures and fairness. It implies a court that is biased, unjust, or prejudiced in its proceedings and decisions.

The etymology of "kangaroo court" is believed to have originated in the United States in the mid-19th century during the California Gold Rush in the 1840s and 1850s. At that time, miners and settlers in remote areas often established their own informal courts to settle disputes and administer justice in the absence of proper legal institutions.

The term "kangaroo court" is occasionally employed in a non-derogatory manner. For instance, numerous Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball teams have established kangaroo courts as a lighthearted means of disciplining players for on-field errors, being late, improper attire during road games, or untidy lockers in the clubhouse. Monetary fines are imposed, and the accumulated funds are then donated to charitable causes at the end of the year. The organization may also utilize the money to host a team celebration marking the end of the season.

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ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR

Allusions to wild animals are frequent in the coinage of phrases that apply to things that are considered inferior — a few examples:

- dog Latin = Küchenlatein

- ugly duckling = missachtete Person

- frog march someone = jdn. fortschleppen

- chicken-livered = feige

- hare-brained = bekloppt

- wolf in sheep's clothing = Wolf im Schafspelz

- lion's share = Löwenanteil

- stubborn as a mule = stur wie ein Esel

- sly as a fox = schlau wie ein Fuchs

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SMUGGLE OWAD into an English conversation, say something like:

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