Noscitur a sociis

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“We are known by the company we keep”: as true of our words as it is of our confederates, the canon of interpretation “noscitur a sociis” counsels that, in case of ambiguity one should not break glass but be guided by the surrounding context when assigning meanings to sentences. Proof, if anyone needed it, that legal eagles don’t need post-structuralist French philosophers to tell them how to play hermeneutical games.

Context is everything: if you are writing about pickles, conserves and chutneys, do not think you can slip in an oblique reference to lunar exploration and expect it to be understood.

See also

• Statutory interpretation
• Contractual interpretation
• Ejusdem generis
• Noscitur a sociis
• Generalia specialibus non derogant
• Fair, large and liberal
• And the JC’s own short-hand to the lot of them: non mentula esse