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