TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: "rule of thumb" From:Gina <psu02909 -at- ODIN -dot- CC -dot- PDX -dot- EDU> Date:Fri, 17 Nov 1995 13:07:44 -0800
Leg Pulling?
Yes, lo and behold, there is a history to violence against women. The
legal function of the 'rule of thumb' is documented.
Now I suppose I have to state that I'm not a raving feminist.
Personally, I like Tech Writers that have historical consciousness.
Even if they're male.
Eastman, PSU
On Fri, 17 Nov 1995, Pat Madea wrote:
> Karen Mayer writes:
> >> Your (and others') use of the term "rule of thumb" reminded me of what
> my
> >> dad told me was the origin of that phrase. He says that not too long
ago
> >> the law stated that a man could beat his wife with a stick no larger
> than
> >> the diameter of his thumb. Thus it was the "Rule of Thumb." Lovely.
> John Wilcox responds with what I always understood the statement to mean:
> >Sorry, but I doubt the truth of your dad's statement. I thought the
> >term came from carpentry, wherein the width of one's thumb could be used
> >to approximate an inch.
> In a broad sense, I understand a Rule of Thumb to be a rough
> approximation, a general rule, an imprecise guideline. As such, there
> are many Rules of Thumb.
> I've never heard Karen's father's definition and it sounds like
> someone's leg (or thumb) might have been pulled.
> However, Karen's father's definition contains just enough
> "believeable" elements in it that it makes "sense," doesn't it? So it
> must be true thereby creating all kinds of other problems...