When first introduced at the 1846 Uncyclopedia Convention at Aurora New York, the premise was simple. Democratically, members of the Uncyclopedia editing board (those who wished to participate) agreed that an abbreviated statement was needed to allow members to justify their votes against something. The resulting phrase, "I decline to vote in the affirmative for this (blank), and therefore negatively cast a vote against it" was found to amply fulfill the need for a concise reason.