Lobbying is not a legal term

N&O Triangle Grammar Guide blog

In his challenge of the state's biggest economic incentives deal, Robert Orr was thwarted before he got started. On Wednesday, he lobbied for a second chance to begin.

While the lumpen rhymishness of thwarted and started might bear discussion, the real problem is with the use of "lobbied." The word has a pretty specific meaning, and it pretty specifically excludes a lawyer making legal arguments in a court of law.

I don't care for the good justice nor particularly support his effort here, but nothing justifies flippantly disparaging him and his effort by equating it to the pimping of special interests by frequenting the lobbies or corridors of legislative chambers.