Date:  Fri, 4 Apr 1997 16:48:38 -0600
<br>From:  jack haines  z932275[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]RICE.FARM.NIU.EDU 
<br>Subject: Rule of Thumb
<br>
<br>Does anybody know where the expression "Rule of Thumb" comes from? I was
<br>talking with a Math Professor who was telling me about an article he had
<br>just read. The author of the article stated that Rule of Thumb is a
<br>sexist/insensitive phrase because it refers to an old law that said it is
<br>alright to beat your wife, so long as the diameter of the rod used is no
<br>greater than that of your thumb. I have heard that etymology (is this
<br>etymology or is it etiology?) before, but I've never really investigated it.
<br>
<br>The guy suspects "folk etymology" (eti/ym-whatever) to be afoot. I can't
<br>say that I disagree with him. I dont want to cast aspersions but it seems
<br>unlikely that a person who would beat another person would take the time to
<br>measure the diameter of their weapon. Ya' know, just to make sure that
<br>everything was fair and square. I understand the flip side of the issue--
<br>it gives the courts something to measure against but as a law it seems kind
<br>of subjective or open to a lot of variation.
<br>
<br>Let us suppose that the wife-beating etymology is true. What do we, as
<br>speakers of a language, do with phrases or colloquialisms that might have
<br>dark pasts? Do we kick them out of the language and change the locks? Do we
<br>kick out every one of them, or just the ones that offend my sensibilities?
<br>
<br>Any suggestions or comments?
<br>
<br>Jack Haines
<br>Northern Illinois University
<br>Graduate Student
<br>