what does the rule of thumb state?

Question

what does it say or state.?

Answer 1

Pammy stated what many people nowadays THINK was the "rule of thumb". But, in fact, this is a recently invented urban legend -- picked up and spread since the 1970s by unwitting feminists. (That is, I don't think they made it up, but once the mistake was made, the IDEA fit so well with their expectations that they just ASSUMED it was true.)

Several folks have done quite a bit of study of English common law to see if there is any support for the claim. There really isn't.

In fact, "RULE of thumb" does not originally refer to a law at all. To even speak of "THE rule of thumb" is mistaken. There never was one such law/principle.


Rather "rule" here is used in the sense of "ruler", that is, "measuring device." The thumb has at times been used for approximate measure of an inch (cf. use of foot and forearm to measure things). The whole idea of the expression is something that's a good, rough approximation. When you use something as a "rule of thumb" you treat it as something that is generally true or fairly close.

The following article contains more information on the alleged connection of this expression with 'permissible wife beating', showing what little foundation that notion has.
http://www.wordorigins.org/index.php/more/489/

Answer 2

It means "a rough equivalent that xpeirnece tells us is enough."

For instance, adding a pinch of salt and two shakes of pepper, as a "rule of thumb" will help your stew taste better.

It comes from a Medieval way of measuring things using hands as measuuring devices.

Answer 3

the rule definitively states that every measure and action can be roughly categorised, give or take a little bit ;)

Answer 4

a man can beat his wife with a stick no bigger than his thumb.

Answer 5

If wisdom