Davie v. J. C. Mandelson Co.

The statutory rules for the construction of statutes provide that “Words and phrases shall be construed according to the common and approved usage of the language,” unless they have acquired a “peculiar and appropriate meaning in law.” P. L. c. 2, s. 2. We do not think that the words “service . . . performed . . . under any contract of hire, written or oral, expressed or implied,” construed according to “the common and approved usage of the language” describe the services gratuitously rendered by Mrs. Mandelson to the defendant. The acts performed by her as president of the corporation are of…