Interesting origin of phrases - Kangaroo court

 Kangaroo court

Meaning:

An unauthorized, bogus court

Origin

Kangaroo courts are sham legal proceedings which are set-up in order to give the impression of a fair legal process. They offer impartial justice as the verdict. Such courts are associated with groups who have a rough and ready form; for example, inmates in jail, soldiers at war, settlers of lands where no jurisdiction has yet been established.

 

Origin

 

The origin of 'kangaroo court' is unknown, although, we expect the term to have originated in Australia. Lack of a definite origin encourages speculative claims.

The concept of kangaroo court dates to the early nineteenth century. Scholars trace its origin to the historical practice of judges on the U.S. frontier. These judges were paid on the basis of how many trials they conducted, their salary depended on the fines from the defendants they convicted. The term kangaroo court comes from the image of these judges hopping from place to place, guided less by concern for justice than by the desire to wrap up as many trials as the day allowed.