chiltern hundreds: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, political, historical
Quick answer
What does “chiltern hundreds” mean?
A nominal office of the Crown used as a procedural device to resign from the British House of Commons, as MPs are technically prohibited from resigning.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A nominal office of the Crown used as a procedural device to resign from the British House of Commons, as MPs are technically prohibited from resigning.
The historical administrative division of the Chiltern Hills, now primarily known as the mechanism for leaving Parliament; by tradition, an MP wishing to resign applies for the 'Stewardship of the Chiltern Hundreds' (or a similar ancient office), which is a paid office under the Crown, thus disqualifying them from the Commons.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is exclusively British, relating to the UK Parliament. The concept and phrase are largely unknown in general American English.
Connotations
In a UK context, it denotes a formal, traditional, and somewhat antiquated procedure. It has no negative connotations.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday language; appears only in news reports about MPs resigning and in texts about British constitutional practice.
Grammar
How to Use “chiltern hundreds” in a Sentence
[MP/He/She] applied for the Chiltern Hundreds.The member was granted the stewardship of the Chiltern Hundreds.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chiltern hundreds” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The MP for Northshire has applied for the Chiltern Hundreds, triggering a by-election.
- The granting of the Chiltern Hundreds is a formality exercised by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
American English
- The British correspondent explained that the MP 'took the Chiltern Hundreds' to leave Parliament. (American reporting on UK events)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in political science, history, and constitutional law texts discussing UK parliamentary procedure.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Core term in UK parliamentary clerks' procedural language.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chiltern hundreds”
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'the chilterns hundreds').
- Thinking it refers to a large number (hundreds) of something.
- Using it in non-parliamentary contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Only a sitting Member of the House of Commons can apply for and be appointed to this (or a similar) nominal office in order to vacate their seat.
No. Historically, the 'Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds' was responsible for managing Crown lands and controlling banditry in the Chiltern Hills. Today, it is a purely symbolic title with no duties or salary, used solely for resignation purposes.
It is another ancient nominal office used for the same purpose as the Chiltern Hundreds. By convention, the two are used alternately to allow two MPs to resign simultaneously if needed.
The principle dates back centuries: an MP is elected to serve their constituents and cannot unilaterally abandon that duty. The legal fiction of accepting a paid office under the Crown creates an automatic disqualification, providing a mutually agreed method for departure.
A nominal office of the Crown used as a procedural device to resign from the British House of Commons, as MPs are technically prohibited from resigning.
Chiltern hundreds is usually formal, political, historical in register.
Chiltern hundreds: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtʃɪltən ˈhʌndrədz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtʃɪltərn ˈhʌndrədz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To take the Chiltern Hundreds”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an MP wanting to quit, so they travel to the CHILLY Chiltern HILLS to take on a HUNDRED administrative tasks (a Hundreds) – a tedious office job that forces them to leave Parliament.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESIGNATION IS THE ACCEPTANCE OF A NOMINAL BURDEN (The 'hundreds' were historical land divisions for taxation/military purposes; taking stewardship is accepting a nominal duty that conflicts with being an MP).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of the 'Chiltern Hundreds' in modern usage?