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- Rule of Thumb
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- Chrysti M. Smith
"Brewer's thumb," "wife-beating stick," "approximate inch." These are the three theories offered to explain the origin of the expression "rule of thumb."
Chrysti the Wordsmith" two-minute modules are produced at KGLT Montana
State University- Bozeman, and broadcast in Montana and Wyoming on
Yellowstone Public Radio and Montana Public Radio, and internationally
on the Armed Forces Radio and TV Network.
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Related Pieces
Piece Description
"Brewer's thumb," "wife-beating stick," "approximate inch." These are the three theories offered to explain the origin of the expression "rule of thumb." Chrysti the Wordsmith" two-minute modules are produced at KGLT Montana State University- Bozeman, and broadcast in Montana and Wyoming on Yellowstone Public Radio and Montana Public Radio, and internationally on the Armed Forces Radio and TV Network.
Broadcast History
Chrysti the Wordsmith" two-minute modules are produced at KGLT Montana
State University- Bozeman, and broadcast in Montana and Wyoming on
Yellowstone Public Radio and Montana Public Radio, and internationally
on the Armed Forces Radio and TV Network.
Transcript
Rule of Thumb
A rule of thumb is an approximate measurement, or some general standard that we can go by. Where did this folksy-sounding expression come from?
One theory that’s been circulating in recent years posits a 17th century British law that purported to restrict the size of a stick with which a man could legally beat his wife: the instrument of chastisement could be no thicker than the man’s thumb—hence rule of thumb. But legal scholars and word watchers have yet to locate any record of such a code, making a folk tale—some might say a hoax—of this theory.
Another account attaches the expression to brewers who were said to have gauged the temperature of fermenting beer by plunging a thumb into the brew.
But the most logical origin of this phrase makes the thumb a crude measuring device, as the first joint of the digit is an inch or so in length. So, th...
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Posted on May 17, 2005 at 06:40 AM | Permalink
Review of Rule of Thumb
I like this series. I'm a lover of words, as I believe the majority of public radio listeners are, so this piece is right up my alley. (Where did 'right up my alley' come from?) Drawing on a wide variety of sources, the producer Chrysti Smith has developed a piece that catches the ear very well -it's smooth, entertaining, and informative. This piece would work well around Keillor's "Writer's Almanac" or anyplace in the programming schedule where two minutes of intelligence are needed. Good job.