2007-03-10 23:32:51 · 12 answers · asked by Air Force guy 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
The answer is no one is certain the origin for a rule of thumb...yes it was used by rulers dring the the gladiator events as thumbs up or down but that phrase is more thumbs up today...also it is was used for the thickness of a stick in which one could beat their wives ...(no thicker then your thumb) In addition it is the measurement of an " inch ", it is derived from the distance between the base of the thumbnail and the first joint. and the kings thumb was the actual measurement for his kingdom ...the last they believe was the more plausible origin...so pick your choice
2007-03-11 03:54:35 · answer #1 · answered by connie b 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have heard this and I do not know that it is true, but, it is said that the Rule of Thumb originated in old England. It is said that men were allowed to beat their wives, but, the stick could be no thicker than their thumb, thus, the Rule of Thumb.
2007-03-11 08:59:11 · answer #2 · answered by Firespider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question and a lot of good answers. I was surprised no one mentioned the Romans and the gladiators. If you fought well and lost, the emperor and the crowd could give you a thumbs up and allow you (the gladiator) to live. A thumbs down made the winner kill the other gladiator. Apparently, this symbol has a lot of origins and has been around a long time
2007-03-11 10:42:25 · answer #3 · answered by David M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rule of thumb is a principle with broad application that is not intended to be strictly accurate or reliable for every situation. It is an easily learned and easily applied procedure for approximately calculating or recalling some value, or for making some determination.
2007-03-11 07:40:49 · answer #4 · answered by Jay S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rule of Thumb:
–noun
1. a general or approximate principle, procedure, or rule based on experience or practice, as opposed to a specific, scientific calculation or estimate.
2. a rough, practical method of procedure.
Hope this helps!
2007-03-11 07:43:52 · answer #5 · answered by Dee B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was originally used to determine how wide of a stick you could use to hit your wife, Anything the width of your thumb or thinner was okay. Terrible, I know. Now it basically means a very basic, well known rule relating to absolutely anything.
2007-03-11 09:08:03 · answer #6 · answered by xTehxSammehx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ryan is right. The term "Rule of thumb" came from an old U.S. law that said you couldn't beat your wife with a rod that was bigger than the diameter of your thumb.
2007-03-11 08:43:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most common rule
2007-03-11 07:41:23 · answer #8 · answered by occluderx 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The most plausible origin of this phrase it is often used for rough measurement by carpenters, seamstresses, artists.The measurement of an inch is derived from the distance between the base of the thumbnail and the first joint.
Other examples at wiki and one stupid one from a movie that was a docudrama. It's amazing what people think it came from because they saw it in a movie.. duh!
2007-03-11 07:43:17 · answer #9 · answered by Tapestry6 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
...an old way of giving it a 50-50 chance... "thumbs-up" or "thumbs-down". 10-4...?
2007-03-11 07:42:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋