Charlie Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 "Rule Of Thumb"...please explain the origin of this expression and discuss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sal Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 do you know or are you just trying to troll? the origin of this phrase comes from the way back when. men where allowed to beat their wayward wives if they chose but they could not do it w/a stick or anything larger around than their thumb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sk Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 sal said: do you know or are you just trying to troll? the origin of this phrase comes from the way back when. men where allowed to beat their wayward wives if they chose but they could not do it w/a stick or anything larger around than their thumb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunglehead Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 OR, a more likely explanation of it's origins: Rule of thumb Meaning: A basic rule that is usually but not always correct. Example: As a rule of thumb, plant tomato seeds three inches deep. Origin: Based on the use of ones thumb as a rough measurement tool. Generally correct for course measures. Most old English measures of distance were based on the body measurements of the king--the length of the foot, inch (thumb tip to first knuckle), cubit (elbow-to-fingertip), and yard (nose-to-fingertip). Alternatively, Old English law (and potentially early American law) declared that it was okay for a man to beat his wife but had to use a stick no larger in diameter than his thumb. There is no truth to the rumor that this law was an early start to the women's rights movement. Check here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fern Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 of course it is a troll http://www.urbanlegends.com/language/etymology/rule_of_thumb.html if people really want to research stuff they use google. if they just want to talk shit on the internet they use cascadeclimbers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sal Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 glad to know i was totally misinformed. i had actually heard that quite some time ago. from some teacher in HS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Posted October 16, 2003 Author Share Posted October 16, 2003 sal said: do you know or are you just trying to troll? the origin of this phrase comes from the way back when. men where allowed to beat their wayward wives if they chose but they could not do it w/a stick or anything larger around than their thumb. Is this law still in effect? How do you feel about it? Is it only for spouses, or does it apply to girlfriends as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunglehead Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 fern said: of course it is a troll http://www.urbanlegends.com/language/etymology/rule_of_thumb.html if people really want to research stuff they use google. if they just want to talk shit on the internet they use cascadeclimbers Agreed, Fern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sk Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 Charlie said: sal said: do you know or are you just trying to troll? the origin of this phrase comes from the way back when. men where allowed to beat their wayward wives if they chose but they could not do it w/a stick or anything larger around than their thumb. Is this law still in effect? How do you feel about it? Is it only for spouses, or does it apply to girlfriends as well? I have a little story, and it's true My great great aunt was beaten by her husband... she chopped his head off with an axe while he slept Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sal Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 Charlie said: sal said: do you know or are you just trying to troll? the origin of this phrase comes from the way back when. men where allowed to beat their wayward wives if they chose but they could not do it w/a stick or anything larger around than their thumb. Is this law still in effect? How do you feel about it? Is it only for spouses, or does it apply to girlfriends as well? i am all in favor of it as long as it goes both ways Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cracked Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Posted October 16, 2003 Author Share Posted October 16, 2003 Awe, you ponytailtofufreetibetchaiteameatismurdersubaru's are getting too wise. I expected more of an outcry from this troll. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allthumbs Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 sal said: do you know or are you just trying to troll? the origin of this phrase comes from the way back when. men where allowed to beat their wayward wives if they chose but they could not do it w/a stick or anything larger around than their thumb. Sal is full of shit - press here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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