Date:  Sun, 6 Apr 1997 09:08:55 -0400
<br>From:  Alan Baragona  baragonasa[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]VAX.VMI.EDU 
<br>Subject: Re: Rule of Thumb
<br>
<br>I've never believed this etymology, and I think your objections are sound.
<br>The other source I've heard most often is sewing: you can estimate a yard by
<br>stretching cloth over your extended arm and measuring from thumb to
<br>shoulder. I don't know if this is any more convincing, but it is certainly
<br>a more likely explanation than the thickness of a rod.
<br>
<br>As for your final question, I think unless there is something in the surface
<br>form of a word or phrase that still suggests a "dark" etymology, the usage
<br>has no psychological significance for the users and is harmless. If,
<br>however, its current associations are disturbing or potentially offensive,
<br>I'd be personally reluctant to use it, though I don't believe in
<br>"legislating" the language of others.
<br>
<br>Alan B.
<br>
<br>At 04:48 PM 4/4/97 -0600, jack haines wrote:
<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> 
<br>Alan Baragona
<br>alan[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]vmi.edu
<br>
<br>You know, years ago, my mother used to say to me, she'd say, "In this
<br>world, Elwood, you must be . . ."--she always called me 'Elwood'--"In this
<br>world, Elwood, you must be oh, so smart or oh, so pleasant." Well, for
<br>years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. And you may quote me.
<br>
<br>                Elwood P. Dowd
<br>