m'learned friends

English

Alternative forms

• my learned friends

Etymology

Humorous interpretation of my learned friend (“term of address for an opposing barrister”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /məˈlɜːnɪd fɹɛn(d)z/

Noun

m'learned friends pl (plural only)

1. (UK, humorous) Lawyers.
   • 2002 October 1, Brian Elliot, Aspects of Barnsley 7: Discovering Local History, Casemate Publishers, →ISBN:

     The negotiations to achieve this were bitterly contested and were characterised by regular recourse to m'learned friends and by brinkmanship on both sides.

   • 2013 January 17, Rough Guides, The Rough Guide to Men's Health (2nd edition), Rough Guides UK, →ISBN, page 260:

     Because divorce is such a drastic step and rarely one that ends in happiness for both parties, before you reach for m'learned friends, ask yourself these six questions.

   • 2014 May 8, Mark Ellen, Rock Stars Stole my Life!: A Big Bad Love Affair with Music, Hachette UK, →ISBN:

     My review of the so-called Great British Music Festival contained the assurance that one of its stars, Frankie Miller, had been the worse for drink when he wandered onstage at Wembley Arena, and M'Learned Friends were soon in touch.