I have just learned, that the phrase, “The Rule Of Thumb”, relates to the size of a rod a husband was permitted to use on his disobedient wife during the VIctorian era. It’s not strictly true, in that it was not legal in England, but it was uncovered by journalist, Jenni Murray, that:
” In medieval Welsh law, under certain specific stringently defined conditions, a man might strike a woman with a stick as thick as his middle finger and as long as his forearm, but only three blows were allowed, anywhere on the body but the head.”
So next time someone says, “The rule of thumb is…” you can have a private little chuckle.
I should have known you would know, because you do seem to embrace a great deal of knowing stuff. LOL. That wordplay thing is still in my head – obviously.
Maggie, I will never hear this from someone and not think of this. 🙂
🙂 I know, right? Me too.