March 12, 2010
In conversation at work today there was a discussion that included the saying “the rule of thumb”. Then the story of where the expression originated, which apparently most people believe that in olden time there was a rule that a man could not beat his wife with any implement thicker than his thumb. This is not the first time I have heard this – but I am sceptical. So, today’s question is: what is the origin of the expression “rule of thumb”?
A:
The exact origin of the phrase is uncertain, yet was coined in the second half of the 1600s. The expression is either it is derived from the use of the thumb as a measurement device or it is derived from use of the thumb in a number of apocryphal "rules".
For example, His work with the youth group is largely by rule of thumb. This expression alludes to making rough estimates of measurements by using one's thumb.
Sources:
http://www.answers.com/topic/rule-of-thumb
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/rule+of+thumb
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