Since you asked - January 22, 2004

Document text

42 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, February 26, 2004   Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery   SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries   Life   Opinion - Politics   AP News   Weather   Classified   Archives   Site Map   EXTRA   Newspaper in Education   Personals   Movie Times   TV Times   E The People   CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad  eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities   Entertainment   Publications   Recreation   Calendar   CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit   Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend January 22, 2004 Since you asked Rule of thumb origin is unclear What is the origin of the phrase "rule of thumb"? I have heard it was the maximum size stick acceptable for beating one’s wife in the Code of Hammurabi. Anything bigger was illegal. Is this so? — Hugh A., Medford A lot of these old expressions boast multiple origin stories. Most sound feasible or they would not be around. Sometimes the etymology division here at Since You Asked can get to the bottom of them. Other times you have to settle for the old "origin obscure." We’ve found two theories on "rule of thumb." Some authorities trace it to the days when beer was really beer instead of that pasteurized stuff they make in factories. The chief brewmaster would sometimes test the temperature of the brew by dipping in his thumb. But the story we prefer is less colorful. That is that the expression comes from the use of the lower part of the thumb as a crude measuring device. You’ll notice it is close to one inch, more or less. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to [email protected] . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. Mail Tribune Home Local News  | Sports  | Business  | Obituaries  | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives  |  Site Map   E Southern Oregon  | Classified   Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE!   ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times