Lame duck
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- For other uses of the term lame duck, see Lame duck (disambiguation).
A lame duck is an elected official who has lost a re-election but continues to hold office in between the time of the election and the time of the inauguration of the successor. Whether officials in this position should refrain from using some or all of their powers is somewhat controversial. The term originated in the 1700s regarding stockbrokers who could not meet their debts. It was transferred to politicians in the 1860s. The term is also used more generally to include elected officals who have chosen not to run for re-election or who are ineligible for re-election.