Neil Gorsuch has tried to keep his distance from President Trump during his confirmation hearings, but he accidentally used one of the President’s signature words.
The Supreme Court nominee was being questioned by Republican Sen. Sasse of Nebraska about the role of the Declaration of Independence in interpreting the Constitution.
Gorsuch responded by talking about the declaration, noting that John Hancock was famous for his signature.
“No one remembers who John Hancock was, but they know that that’s a signature because he wrote his name so bigly … big and boldly,” he said, prompting laughter in the Senate hearing room.
“You just said bigly,” responded Sasse. “And I just won five bucks.”
“You embarrassed me in front of my nephew and he loves it,” Gorsuch replied.
Without missing a beat, Sasse joked, “He’s the one paying me the five bucks.”
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Inside Elon Musk’s War on Washington
- Meet the 2025 Women of the Year
- Why Do More Young Adults Have Cancer?
- Colman Domingo Leads With Radical Love
- 11 New Books to Read in Februar
- How to Get Better at Doing Things Alone
- Cecily Strong on Goober the Clown
- Column: The Rise of America’s Broligarchy
Contact us at letters@time.com