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Rule of thumb

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greenday | 09:24 Fri 08th Oct 2004 | Phrases & Sayings
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What is the origin of the expression, a rule of thumb?
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Avatar Image Quizmonster
If you click here, that will link you to a web-page which explains.
09:38 Fri 08th Oct 2004
Avatar Image mrs.pudding
E. Cobham Brewer 1810�1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. Rule of Thumb (The). A rough guess-work measure. Measuring lengths by the thumb. In some places the heat required in brewing is determined by dipping the thumb into the vat Found this through Google. Sounds unlikely enough to be true!
19:09 Sat 09th Oct 2004
Avatar Image Yinzer
I heard that some king decided to have the length of the tip segment of his thumb be the official inch.
08:24 Tue 12th Oct 2004

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Rule of thumb

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