Date:  Sun, 6 Apr 1997 09:08:55 -0400
From:  Alan Baragona <baragonasa[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]VAX.VMI.EDU>
Subject: Re: Rule of Thumb

I've never believed this etymology, and I think your objections are sound.
The other source I've heard most often is sewing: you can estimate a yard by
stretching cloth over your extended arm and measuring from thumb to
shoulder. I don't know if this is any more convincing, but it is certainly
a more likely explanation than the thickness of a rod.

As for your final question, I think unless there is something in the surface
form of a word or phrase that still suggests a "dark" etymology, the usage
has no psychological significance for the users and is harmless. If,
however, its current associations are disturbing or potentially offensive,
I'd be personally reluctant to use it, though I don't believe in
"legislating" the language of others.

Alan B.

At 04:48 PM 4/4/97 -0600, jack haines wrote:
>Does anybody know where the expression "Rule of Thumb" comes from? I was
>talking with a Math Professor who was telling me about an article he had
>just read. The author of the article stated that Rule of Thumb is a
>sexist/insensitive phrase because it refers to an old law that said it is
>alright to beat your wife, so long as the diameter of the rod used is no
>greater than that of your thumb. I have heard that etymology (is this
>etymology or is it etiology?) before, but I've never really investigated it.
>
>The guy suspects "folk etymology" (eti/ym-whatever) to be afoot. I can't
>say that I disagree with him. I dont want to cast aspersions but it seems
>unlikely that a person who would beat another person would take the time to
>measure the diameter of their weapon. Ya' know, just to make sure that
>everything was fair and square. I understand the flip side of the issue--
>it gives the courts something to measure against but as a law it seems kind
>of subjective or open to a lot of variation.
>
>Let us suppose that the wife-beating etymology is true. What do we, as
>speakers of a language, do with phrases or colloquialisms that might have
>dark pasts? Do we kick them out of the language and change the locks? Do we
>kick out every one of them, or just the ones that offend my sensibilities?
>
>Any suggestions or comments?
>
>Jack Haines
>Northern Illinois University
>Graduate Student
>
Alan Baragona
alan[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]vmi.edu

You know, years ago, my mother used to say to me, she'd say, "In this
world, Elwood, you must be . . ."--she always called me 'Elwood'--"In this
world, Elwood, you must be oh, so smart or oh, so pleasant." Well, for
years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. And you may quote me.

                Elwood P. Dowd