Comments on: Things You Should Know But Probably Don’t

By: Krunk

Krunk — Mon, 04 Sep 2006 09:34:20 +0000

Interesting. For those who want to read the Wikipedia entry, here it is. The most plausible origin is:

Use as a physical measurement The measurement of an inch is derived from the distance between the base of the thumbnail and the first joint. This is a plausible origin as the thumb is often used for rough measurement by carpenters, seamstresses, artists and many others. Quinion notes that this term is similar to other English phrases tying measurements to parts of the body, for instance the use of the foot, or of the hand as a unit of measurement for horses.

//krunk (^_^x)

By: Liam

Liam — Mon, 04 Sep 2006 06:12:25 +0000

>> 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.

This one is also very questionable. Wikipedia a good summary of the debate, and sources a few longer articles.

By: Krunk

Krunk — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 19:13:47 +0000

Interesting.

//krunk (^_^x)

By: Hank

Hank — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 17:53:35 +0000

>> The name Wendy was made up for the book Peter Pan; there was never a recorded Wendy before! This one's definitely wrong... (source) Makes me question the factuality of some of the others.