Talk:hypothecate

(politics, Britain)

I am not impressed by the definition

(politics, Britain) To designate a new tax or tax increase for a specific expenditure

First of all, is this saying that the usage is restricted to

• either global politics or British usage

or

• only British politics?

The latter seems more likely to me, but the presentation simply doesn't say so. For instance, see under sleet at definition 2 the restriction "(chiefly UK, Ireland, New England)", which surely means "whether here or there or yonder", rather than "whenever used simultaneously here and there and yonder".

Secondly, can this really exclude taxes that are already in place?

Thirdly, a related usage exists in Australia. (Quite possibly in NZ and Canada too.) I will add a provisional definition: see Talk:hypothecate#(Australia). Possibly the British and Australian definitions will later be merged, but I would rather not wipe out the present (seemingly flawed) definition as the first step.

—DIV (49.186.97.223 13:14, 15 July 2022 (UTC))

Fourthly, should it be inclusive of other instruments for raising revenue besides taxes?

—DIV (49.186.97.223 13:31, 15 July 2022 (UTC))

(Australia)

I've added a new definition for Australian English usage, supported by this helpful quotation

• "Levying customs duties and excises on necessities also ensured a relatively secure source of revenue. Revenues were generally hypothecated in an attempt to draw support from the public, for example funding an orphanage, gaol, hospital equipment and building works around Sydney." A brief history of Australia's tax system; Sam Reinhardt and Lee Steel; 04 September 2006

from a highly reputable source (i.e. the Australian Government). Notice that it relates to revenue more broadly than only revenue from taxes. Sorry if the formatting isn't perfect (please improve the formatting, if so).
—DIV (49.186.97.223 13:27, 15 July 2022 (UTC))