Pronunciation: [dˈaɡənhˌɑːt] (IPA) 
The word "Dagenhart" is a surname and can be pronounced as ['deɪgənhɑrt]. The first syllable is pronounced with the 'd' sound, followed by a long 'a' sound. The second syllable has a short 'e' sound, then a 'g' sound and an 'ə' schwa sound. The last syllable has a hard 'h' sound followed by a long 'ɑ' sound with a 't' at the end. This unique combination of sounds gives us the recognizable and distinctive spelling of "Dagenhart".
"Dagenhart" refers to the landmark Supreme Court case that took place in 1918, also commonly known as the "Hammer v. Dagenhart" case. This case revolved around the constitutionality of a federal law known as the Keating-Owen Act, which aimed to ban the interstate shipment of goods produced using child labor.
In this context, the term "Dagenhart" serves as a shorthand reference to a significant legal ruling regarding the interpretation of the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution. The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, ultimately invalidated the Keating-Owen Act, ruling that it exceeded the scope of congressional power and violated the rights of individual states.
The Dagenhart decision remains influential in discussions on the constitutional limits of federal power regarding labor regulations and interstate commerce. It has since been criticized for impeding attempts to protect the welfare and rights of child workers on a national scale. However, the ruling's legacy extends beyond child labor laws and has broader implications for debates concerning federalism, state sovereignty, and the role of the federal government in economic matters.
As a result, the term "Dagenhart" has become synonymous with the legal precedent established by this Supreme Court case, specifically with regard to the limitations placed on the federal government's authority to regulate commerce and labor practices.
The word "Dagenhart" is not of etymological origin; it is a proper noun derived from the surname of a person. The Dagenhart case refers to the 1918 United States Supreme Court case, Hammer v. Dagenhart, which involved a challenge to child labor laws. The name "Dagenhart" in this case refers to Roland Dagenhart, who was the father of two minor children working in a cotton mill in North Carolina.
