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I got yelled at by a female graduate student for using the term "rule of thumb". The Standford page says: "Although no written record exists today, this phrase
by PopePompus 4y ago
I got yelled at by a female graduate student for using the term "rule of thumb". The Standford page says: "Although no written record exists today, this phrase is attributed to an old British law that allowed men to beat their wives with sticks no wider than their thumb.", which I translate as "this is bullshit, but some people have decided to be offended by it".
- Sniffnoy 4y agoTo be clear, this supposed etymology is absolutely false. Wikipedia has an entire page about this myth: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thumb https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thumb
- coffeeblack 4y agoSadly, it’s about feelings, not facts. That’s how indoctrination works.
- at_a_remove 4y agoUsed in a similar fashion in Boondock Saints.
- laserdancepony 4y agoUsing this as a reputable secondary source in the OP document would not surprise me the least.
- M3L0NM4N 4y agoSo you're telling me you don't get offended at a phrase originating from an old story in a completely different context your friend told you that you didn't bother to fact check?
- stableandrom 4y agoOpposable thumbs are what separate my species from others, therefore it's a huge part of my identity. If someone resists there phrase "rule of thumb", they're attacking me personally.
- crypot 4y agoCheck your privilege. Not everyone has opposable thumbs.
- ogogmad 4y ago"Rule of thumb" has just joined blacklist and quantum supremacy. If she yelled at you, please complain about her.
- alchemst 4y agoI think you just summarized most of this list and this movement (not all! but most).