Rule-of-thumb origin - Ask Extension
Hello. I recently saw an article on Facebook about proper pruning. The opening of the article references ‘a-rule-of-thumb’. Does anyone at Oregon...
Knowledgebase
Rule-of-thumb origin #858379
Asked February 02, 2024, 9:36 PM EST
Hello. I recently saw an article on Facebook about proper pruning. The opening of the article references ‘a-rule-of-thumb’. Does anyone at Oregon State University know the origin of the term? Why do people say and reference things when they don’t know what they really mean?
Thank you for your time, and you’re welcome!
I’m not from Oregon, but picked Sherman County because I had to choose.
Sherman County Oregon
Expert Response
Greetings,
That is a great question! This platform is connected to our Colleges of Horticulture and Agriculture. Unfortunately the origin of phrases falls out of those areas of expertise.
I appreciate your curiosity and hope you continue to ask these questions and encourage people to reflect on the words and phrases they use.
That is a great question! This platform is connected to our Colleges of Horticulture and Agriculture. Unfortunately the origin of phrases falls out of those areas of expertise.
I appreciate your curiosity and hope you continue to ask these questions and encourage people to reflect on the words and phrases they use.
Thank you for your response.
I know the origin of the rule-of-thumb expression.
Years ago, when it could be a common practice for a husband to beat his wife, he could not get reprimanded for doing so if the welt/bruise/mark he left on his wife was not wider than his thumb.
That is when rule-of-thumb became a customary phrase.
It is outdated, and should no longer be used in modern society, especially at a university.
