Modern Usage
The term became obsolete in the later Reform Act of 1884, but is still used colloquially to refer to Members of Parliament who represent rural, or 'county' constituencies. With exceptions, they tend towards conservatism rather than radicalism.
Read more about this topic: Knights Of The Shire
Famous quotes containing the words modern and/or usage:
“It is unheard-of, uncivilized barbarism that any woman should still be forced to bear such monstrous torture. It should be remedied. It should be stopped. It is simply absurd that, with our modern science, painless childbirth does not exist as a matter of course.... I tremble with indignation when I think of ... the unspeakable egotism and blindness of men of science who permit such atrocities when they can be remedied.”
—Isadora Duncan (1878–1927)
“...Often the accurate answer to a usage question begins, “It depends.” And what it depends on most often is where you are, who you are, who your listeners or readers are, and what your purpose in speaking or writing is.”
—Kenneth G. Wilson (b. 1923)