(legal) "Not Less Than One" [definition from staff report on serial killers]

[Quercus]

In the staff report about sociopaths/serial killers, Gfactor quotes a definition from the U.S. legal code (underlining added by me)
The term “serial killings” means a series of three or more killings, not less than one of which was committed within the United States...Does anyone have a reason for saying "not less than one" instead of "at least one"? I admit the possibility that it's just someone trying to sound more legal-like by being more obfuscatory, but wondered if there's some not-obvious reason for using the more awkward construction.


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Link to Staff Report: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2815/whats-the-difference-between-sociopaths-psychopaths-serial-killers-etc

[BrotherCadfael]

In the staff report about sociopaths/serial killers, Gfactor quotes a definition from the U.S. legal code (underlining added by me)
Does anyone have a reason for saying "not less than one" instead of "at least one"? I admit the possibility that it's just someone trying to sound more legal-like by being more obfuscatory, but wondered if there's some not-obvious reason for using the more awkward construction.Mathematically, there is no difference between the two, assuming you are talking about whole numbers only.

In everyday English, there might be a connotation of "at least one" (and maybe a whole lot more!) vs. "not less than one" (if that!).

[Really Not All That Bright]

In the staff report about sociopaths/serial killers, Gfactor quotes a definition from the U.S. legal code (underlining added by me)
Does anyone have a reason for saying "not less than one" instead of "at least one"? I admit the possibility that it's just someone trying to sound more legal-like by being more obfuscatory, but wondered if there's some not-obvious reason for using the more awkward construction.
I'm pretty sure that in addition to being awkward, it's wrong.

It should be "...no less than..."

[OldGuy]

I'm pretty sure that in addition to being awkward, it's wrong.

It should be "...no less than..."

Well actually "... no fewer than..." unless you can have partial killings

[Gfactor]

I'm moving this thread from General Questions ot Comments on Staff Reports because the question is about something from a staff report.

Gfactor
General Questions Moderator

[Gfactor]

I've also added some context to the thread title. Here is a link to the staff report: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2815/whats-the-difference-between-sociopaths-psychopaths-serial-killers-etc

[Elendil's Heir]

...Does anyone have a reason for saying "not less than one" instead of "at least one"? I admit the possibility that it's just someone trying to sound more legal-like by being more obfuscatory, but wondered if there's some not-obvious reason for using the more awkward construction.

Not that I can see. It's just a slightly more legalistic-sounding phrase. Were I drafting the law, I would use "at least one."

[Indistinguishable]

Well actually "... no fewer than..." unless you can have partial killings
You are referring to an urban legend, an old wives' tale, so to speak; an alleged rule of grammar that has no actual basis in fact. Rather than hijack the thread, I shall simply link to a previous discussion of this contrived shibboleth (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=9277979&postcount=94).