SB: Rule of thumb.

[Eric Riehl <ericrriehl@yahoo.com>]

A "rule of thumb" has never referred to a law.  It means a
heuristic or approximation, usually for something in design
that might be calculated more exactly.  However if an
approximation for design is fairly good people tend to use
this approximation or "rule of thumb" rather than an exact
calculation.

On the topic of beating, the people who made up the 
story about the origins of "rule of thumb" must hope
the people they are trying to fool with it don't think of
what a vicious instrument the cane used to be for naughty
school aged boys.  (British school marms come to mind)
of course there are also memories of the favorite American
implement to punish the naught school boys over here, the big
paddles with the holes in them to raise welts.  In short,
vicious beating in times past were give to naughty school
boys with instruments both larger and small in diameter.

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! - Official partner of 2002 FIFA World Cup
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe from the list, send a message to:
   <strawbale-unsubscribe@crest.org>

or for the digest to:
   <strawbale-digest-unsubscribe@crest.org>

Please send any list administration questions to
strawbale-owner@crest.org