Kyra Jenkins, AMH2010, Monday-Friday 10:30 am
We have an old saying in America that was birthed out of our "growing pains" of either the 1700 or 1800's and is still being used right up to now. The phrase "rule of thumb" has never meant much to me until I recently learned its original meaning. Someone might say, "just use the rule of thumb" when talking about a vague measurement of how to do something, but do they truly know what they are referring to? In the South, a husband was permitted to beat his wife as long as he did not use a rod or branch bigger than his thumb. Anything bigger than the thumb was considered cruel and unacceptable. The husband must not cause "permanent" injury or death. You will think differently the next time you hear this phrase.
3 comments:
Evan Squires, AMH2010, Monday-Friday 10:30 am
I never knew before this class what the rule of thumb actually meant. This is truly appalling to find out. I know that times change, as do cultures, but I can't imagine how it was socially acceptable for a man to beat his wife.
Keith, Patrick AMH2010
Kinda of like the rule of sending your kid out to pick the switch that will be used to adminster justice. Too many questions about what is fair and right. I suppose that it is all relative.
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