Who invented rule of thumb?

Sir Francis Buller
A commonly heard alternative, however, states the ‘rule of thumb’ was the creation of 18th-century English judge, Sir Francis Buller. He ruled (supposedly) that a man is legally permitted to beat his wife, provided he uses a stick no thicker than his thumb.

Where did the term thumb come from?

The term “thumb” was first used before the 12th century and is believed to have come from the Proto-Indo-European term tum, meaning “to swell,” which makes the thumb “the swollen one.” There is some debate as to whether the thumb can rightfully be called a finger, but classification aside, the name fits.

Is the rule of thumb in the Bible?

In many places in the Bible, women have been put under the authority of men. Again in Genesis, speaking about women, the scripture said, “your desire will be for your husband and he will rule over you”. The acceptance by the court of the size stick to beat a woman led to what is called “the rule of thumb”.

What is a good rule of thumb for saving money?

How about this instead—the 50/15/5 rule? It’s our simple rule of thumb for saving and spending: Aim to allocate no more than 50% of take-home pay to essential expenses, save 15% of pretax income for retirement savings, and keep 5% of take-home pay for short-term savings.

What’s the myth about the rule of thumb?

As the myth goes, British Common Law allowed a man to strike his wife with a stick, provided that the stick was no thicker than the man’s thumb. Hence, it was supposedly the ‘rule of thumb’. Thankfully, this is an untrue myth.

What’s the origin of the phrase’rule of thumb’?

‘Rule of thumb’ – meaning and origin. What’s the meaning of the phrase ‘Rule of thumb’? A rule of thumb is a means of estimation made according to a rough and ready practical rule, not based on science or exact measurement. What’s the origin of the phrase ‘Rule of thumb’?

Is the rule of thumb true in England?

That’s not the case. Although it is true that English common law once held that it was legal for a man to chastise his wife in moderation (whatever that meant), the ‘ rule of thumb ‘ has never been the law in England. Nevertheless, the myth refuses to die out.

Is the rule of thumb still the law?

She discovered that while “rule of thumb” was not accepted law, there was evidence aplenty that the British legal system and the American legal system it inspired were unkind to women. “I found out that in the 1800s [wife beating] really was a debatable proposition,” she says.