Answers.com > Wiki Answers > Categories > Literature & Language > Languages and Cultures > English Language > Word and Phrase Origins > In the 1400's a law was set forth in England that a man was allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb Hence we have the rule of thumb -----------------------------------------?

In the 1400's a law was set forth in England that a man was allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb Hence we have the rule of thumb -----------------------------------------?

In: Word and Phrase Origins [Edit categories]

Answer:

This is an urban legend. There was no such law. The phrase "rule of thumb" comes, rather, from the time-honored practice of using the thumb to make rough measurements (think "rule" as in "ruler"). In some languages, in fact, the word for "inch" is the same as the word for "thumb" (e.g., French pouce) or is derived from it (e.g. Spanish plugada, from pulgar).

First answer by Enlil. Last edit by Enlil. Contributor trust: 75 [recommend contributor ]. Question popularity: 12 [recommend question].

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Relevant answers:

What is a rule of thumb?
The phrase "rule of thumb" is derived from an old English law which stated that you couldn't beat your wife with anything wider than your thumb.
Rule of thumb means what?
An English husband up until about Elizabethan times was not allowed to beat his wife with a stick larger in diameter than his (not her) thumb That would be cruel
Why is thumb wider and shorter than other thumb?
To be able to. Make a fist.
Is a man legally allowed to beat his wife once a month?
There is supposedly a law in Arkansas that prohibits a man from beating his wife more than once a month. However, this law is superseded by more recent domestic violence rulings. It is not legal to...
Is the skin on your thumbs thicker than your other fingers?
Not necessarily. Just less sensitive than the fingers.