Date: Thu, 6 Nov 1997 23:31:27 -0800

From: Kim & Rima McKinzey rkm[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]SLIP.NET

Subject: rule of thumb



I don't really mean to get back to this - but I just received the following

e-mail. It's one I've never heard before. (I certainly like it a whole

lot better than the wife beating falacy.)



Before thermometers were invented, brewers would dip a thumb or

finger into the mix to find the right temperature for adding yeast. Too

cold,

and the yeast wouldn't grow. Too hot, and the yeast would die. This thumb

in the beer is where we get the phrase "rule of thumb".



Rima