When you hear someone say "it's still on the books," you might wonder what they mean. This phrase is often used in legal, political, or bureaucratic contexts, but its meaning can be a bit confusing if you're not familiar with it. Let's delve into the meaning of "still on the books" and explore its various applications.
In essence, "still on the books" refers to something that is officially recorded or registered, but not necessarily in active use or enforcement. It's a phrase that implies a state of being, but not necessarily an active state. Let's break this down further.
The Legal Context
In the legal world, "on the books" typically refers to laws that have been enacted by a legislative body. These laws are officially recorded in the statute books, which are the official records of laws. So, "still on the books" in this context means that a particular law is still officially recorded, even if it's not currently enforced or actively used.
For instance, a law might be "still on the books" even if it's been replaced by a newer law, or if it's no longer relevant due to changes in society. It might also be "still on the books" if it's currently being challenged or debated, but not yet removed from the statute books.
Examples in Law
One example is the law against dueling in the United States. While dueling is no longer a common practice, the laws against it are still "on the books" in many states. Another example is the Mann Act in the U.S., which is still "on the books" but is rarely enforced due to its broad and controversial nature.
In the United Kingdom, the ancient law of "fustilarianism" is still "on the books." This law makes it illegal to steal a sheep that is more than a year old, but it's highly unlikely that anyone would be prosecuted under this law today.
The Bureaucratic Context
In bureaucratic settings, "on the books" often refers to records or documents that are officially recorded, but not necessarily actively used. For example, a company might have a particular policy "on the books," meaning it's officially recorded in their employee handbook, but it's not actively enforced or followed.
Similarly, a government agency might have a particular program "on the books," meaning it's officially recorded in their budget or policy documents, but it's not currently active or funded.
Examples in Bureaucracy
For instance, a university might have a particular course "on the books," but it's not currently being offered due to low enrollment. A government might have a particular program "on the books," but it's not currently funded due to budget cuts.
In the business world, a company might have a particular product "on the books," meaning it's officially listed as part of their inventory, but it's not currently being sold or used.
The Historical Context
In a historical context, "on the books" can refer to records or documents that are officially recorded, but not necessarily relevant to current events. For example, a historical society might have a particular artifact "on the books," meaning it's officially recorded in their inventory, but it's not currently on display due to its fragility or lack of relevance to current exhibitions.
Similarly, a library might have a particular book "on the books," meaning it's officially recorded in their catalog, but it's not currently being circulated due to its age or rarity.
Examples in History
For instance, the Library of Congress has many books that are "on the books," but not currently being circulated due to their historical significance and fragility. In the U.S. government, the "Domestic Manufactures" reports are still "on the books," but they're not currently being produced due to changes in economic policy.
In the military, a particular weapon or vehicle might be "on the books," meaning it's officially recorded in their inventory, but it's not currently in use due to its age or obsolescence.
So, when you hear someone say "it's still on the books," you now know that they're referring to something that is officially recorded, but not necessarily actively used or enforced. This phrase is a useful way to describe something that has a formal status, but not necessarily an active one. The next time you hear this phrase, you'll have a clear understanding of its meaning and context.