Shadow Government

[sagehen]

>I am curious about the choice of the term 'shadow government' that has
>used recently to refer to a skeleton US federal government hiding in
>caves somewhere ready to pounce into action if Washington gets
>attacked.
>
~~~~~~
It does seem an odd usage, since it ordinarily refers to the non-governing
side.
In parliamentary systems, the Shadow Cabinet, for instance, would be one
consisting of the Opposition party's corresponding ministers.
A. Murie