grandfather clause

American  

noun

1. U.S. History. a clause in the constitutions of some Southern states after 1890 intended to permit white people to vote while disfranchising Black people: it exempted from new literacy and property qualifications for voting those men entitled to vote before 1867 and their lineal descendants.

2. any legal provision that exempts a business, class of persons, etc., from a new government regulation that would affect prior rights and privileges.

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grandfather clause British  

noun

1. history a clause in the constitutions of several Southern states that waived electoral literacy requirements for lineal descendants of people voting before 1867, thus ensuring the franchise for illiterate White people: declared unconstitutional in 1915

2. a clause in legislation that forbids or regulates an activity so that those engaged in it are exempted from the ban

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Etymology

Origin of grandfather clause

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Example Sentences

But a grandfather clause allowed already-established stores to continue the practice.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 24, 2023

Arnold Schwarzenegger repealed the so-called grandfather clause on smog checks, which exempted cars older than 30 years.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 26, 2022

Man-Man and Jenny will see no immediate relief: SB 48 has no grandfather clause.

From Slate • Jun. 22, 2020

“There is no grandfather clause that permits states to enforce punishments the Constitution forbids.”

From Washington Post • Jan. 25, 2016

This restriction has been explained as coming down from "the grandfather clause" inserted in early legislation.

From Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves Arkansas Narratives, Part 6 by Work Projects Administration