Pairing Off
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary · Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
A legislative practice, said to have originated in the time of Cromwell, whereby legislators of opposite opinions agree not to vote on a given measure. Usually resorted to in order to relieve a member from the necessity of remaining constantly present to await a vote.