Legal

What does that mean, exactly? We're glad you asked, voices in our head.

"Legal English" is a technical term for the sub-dialect of the language employed in writing laws and legal decisions. It runs the gamut from something relatively straightforward like this, to a byzantine morass designed to obscure meaning in something like a contract—a.k.a. the "fine print."

The goal of Legal English is to avoid ambiguity. This is supposed to be the end-all be-all of the law. Ambiguity means loopholes, which if you're unaware, are ways of sticking to the letter of the law while still running afoul of the intention. An example in the 18th Amendment would have been hoarding liquor, or drinking industrial alcohol. You've found a way to drink.

The 21st Amendment, likewise, is clear to note that it doesn't override local laws. Not only is that an important note, it fits in with the 10th Amendment, which states that anything not governed by the federal government is reserved for the states. Technically, it didn't have to be there, but in this case, a potential trouble spot is already accounted for.