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That's also wrong. The expression uses an archaic transitive "prove," which means "to test." Thus, "the exception tests the rule," which makes more sense.
by gecko 12y ago
That's also wrong. The expression uses an archaic transitive "prove," which means "to test." Thus, "the exception tests the rule," which makes more sense.
- sorbits 12y agoDo you have a source for that? From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exception_that_proves_the_rule http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exception_that_proves_the_rule "The exception [that] proves the rule" means that the presence of an exception applying to a specific case establishes ("proves") that a general rule exists. For example, a sign that says "parking prohibited on Sundays" (the exception) "proves" that parking is allowed on the other six days of the week (the rule). A more explicit phrasing might be "The exception that proves the existence of the rule."