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Feb 16, 2010 This week's theme Words with London connections This week's words billingsgate Star Chamber Fleet Street Grub Street bedlam Westminster Palace site of Star Chamber (photo: David Iliff) Discuss Feedback RSS/XML A.Word.A.Day with Anu Garg Star Chamber PRONUNCIATION: (star CHAYM-buhr) MEANING: noun: A court or group marked by arbitrary, oppressive, and secretive procedures. ETYMOLOGY: After the Star Chamber in the Palace of Westminster in London. It was the site of a closed-door court appointed by King Henry VII of England in the 15th century. Notorious for its abuse of power -- rulings made in secret, no appeal -- it was abolished by the Long Parliament in 1641. The chamber was so named because its ceiling was decorated with stars. USAGE: "'This is the most incredible Star Chamber proceeding, the most incredible lack of due process I've ever heard of,' Mitchelson said. 'I'm the alleged perpetrator, and I was not even invited.'" Edward J. Boyer; Mitchelson Angry, Vows to Block Aid for Two Women; The Los Angeles Times; Jan 25, 1989. Explore "star chamber" in the Visual Thesaurus. A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: All humanity is one undivided and indivisible family, and each one of us is responsible for the misdeeds of all the others. I cannot detach myself from the wickedest soul. -Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948)

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