babysitter test | Idiomator

Meaning: (idiomatic,social sciences,law,public policy)Aninformalmethodfor assessing thematurity,reliability, orprobityof a person, inviting one tojudgewhether one wouldentrustthis person with the care of one's own children.1993, Gideon Korenet al., “Maturity of Children to Consent to Medical Research: TheBabysitter Test,”, inJournal of Medical Ethics, volume19, number 3, page146:The babysitter, presumably between the ages of ten and 15, is quite explicitly expected to function in a way usually expected of mature individuals.2001, Michael L. Radelet, Hugo Bedau, “Erroneous Convictions and the Death Penalty,”, inWrongly Convicted: Perspectives on Failed Justice, Saundra Westervelt and John A. Humphrey eds.,→ISBN,page274:To highlight the inadequacy of such evidence, we propose what we call “thebabysitter test” for future prosecution witnesses in death penalty cases. We suggest that, to send someone to the gurney or the electric chair on the word of one witness, the prosecutor must agree to hire that witness as a babysitter for her or his kids for one evening.2008October 25, Emily Baltz, “U.S. Ambassador Calls On Jewish Voters To Drop Republican Support, Back Obama”, incbsnews.com, retrieved 25 Aug. 2010:I use ababysitter testwhen it comes to Israel, Indyk said. Do I trust this man or woman with my child? Will he or she be in the trenches when it really counts? Obama would.; (idiomatic,manufacturing,marketing)A test for theeaseofuseofhouseholdappliances.2006June 29, “At last, new remotes that are 'universal'”, inBaltimore Sun, retrieved 25 Aug. 2010, page 5D:"We set out to create a remote that passes thebabysitter test," says Klarke, director of marketing and development for Harmony remotes.2006November 1,Jim Louderback, “Does the PC Belong in the Living Room?”, inPC Magazine, retrieved 25 Aug. 2010:I call it thebabysitter test. Can I give a remote control to a 15-year-old, gum-snapping Valley Girl and explain, clearly and succinctly in less than 3 minutes, how she can watch TV? Without getting a panicked call whenAmerican Idolbegins? TiVo passes the test.2010May 25, Matt Warman, “Bose bids to simplify home cinema”, intelegraph.co.uk, retrieved 25 Aug. 2010:At the devices’ launch, the company claimed this ease of use would pass “thebabysitter test” of making TVs and DVD players intuitive to use.

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