Rule Of Thumb

[Charlie]

"Rule Of Thumb"...please explain the origin of this expression and discuss

[sal]

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.

[sk]

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.

[bunglehead]

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

 

 

 

 

 

[fern]

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

[sal]

glad to know i was totally misinformed. i had actually heard that quite some time ago. from some teacher in HS!

[Charlie]

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?

[bunglehead]

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.

[sk]

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

[sal]

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

[cracked]

[Charlie]

Awe, you ponytailtofufreetibetchaiteameatismurdersubaru's are getting too wise. I expected more of an outcry from this troll.

[allthumbs]

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