“This book is an articulate and sophisticated analysis of the “ordinary meaning” doctrine, showing how it is still relatively unpredictable, nuanced, and susceptible to manipulation. Provocative and persuasive, Slocum’s extensive study offers conclusions that few other legal scholars can provide—and none with the same level of credibility and brilliance.”
— Steve Calandrillo, University of Washington School of Law
“'Ordinary meaning’ ought to be the central focus of legal interpretation. Slocum’s book by the same name is a deep, thoughtful, and useful examination of the jurisprudence and practice of legal meaning, especially for statutes. In Ordinary Meaning, Slocum offers a rigorous methodology for thinking about and researching ordinary meaning in some “hard cases.” Additionally, he takes the Supreme Court to school in several devastating criticisms of ordinary meaning analysis offered by the Justices.”
— William Eskridge, Yale University
“The concept of "plain meaning" and the interpretive rule of the same name have played a central role in the theory and practice of legal interpretation for a very long time. Slocum's important new book shows the hidden complications within both the concept and the rule. His analysis in Ordinary Meaning is consistently clear, insightful, and persuasive, and it will be a great help to law students, lawyers, and even—or especially—judges.”
— Brian Bix, University of Minnesota
"Slocum explores problems with the legal doctrine of 'ordinary meaning' for words in legal interpretation, including failure to address a word's context."
— Chronicle