Proving rules

[gauchecritic]

I have never, (until now) really understood the phrase 'the exception that proves the rule'. It's always sounded non-sensical to me.

Still reading Science of Discworld I discovered it to mean, using older standard definitions that; A rule is 'tested' by it's exceptions. Are all crows black if you find a brown one?

I googled the phrase and found a literary storm raging about the meaning. The modern use being; The brown crow you found proves the rule true for the rest of them.

Further, and different again; Declaring you have the only non-black crow in existence implies the rule that the rest are.

What I'm interested in is; How many other common phrases mean something entirely different to what you always thought?

Gauche

 

[Quasimodem]

I have never, (until now) really understood the phrase 'the exception that proves the rule'. It's always sounded non-sensical to me. . . The brown crow you found proves the rule true for the rest of them. . . Gauche

That is both bad science and faulty logic.

The brown crow you found VOIDS the rule.

 

[Guest]

Gauche and Quas,

I think others here subscribe to this site. You will find this of interest in explaining your misunderstanding.

Exceptio probat regulam in casibus non exceptis.

Perdita

 

[raphy]

Wow, 'dita. Most excellent!

 

[gauchecritic]

Gauche and Quas,

I think others here subscribe to this site. You will find this of interest in explaining your misunderstanding.

Exceptio probat regulam in casibus non exceptis.

Perdita

That was one of my sources. I obviously didn't explain it properly.

It wasn't my logic.

The explanation that appeals to me is that the brown crow tests the rule, to see if it's generally applicable. Which (with exceptions) it is.

Gauche

Edited to add, it's not about brown crows or exceptions. Or logic chopping. I'd like it to be about false truisms.

 

[Uther_Pendragon]

I've seen a third interpretation. (And I can't remember
the source of it.) Expressing an exception proves that
there is a rule. Examples:
"Seeing eye dogs are permitted in the restaurant." implies
that other dogs are not.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

I'd like it to be about false truisms. gauchecritic

Gauche,

Would these two contradictory count as "false" turisms?

1. Birds of a feather, flock together.

2. Opposites attract.

Then there's always the self-evident, "A wet bird never flies at night."

Rumple Foreskin

 

[gauchecritic]

Gauche,

Would these two contradictory count as "false" turisms?

1. Birds of a feather, flock together.

2. Opposites attract.

Then there's always the self-evident, "A wet bird never flies at night."

Rumple Foreskin

Yes. I think so. If you mean taken together. Definitely.

Don't know of any birds that fly at night wet or dry.

Like misery loving company. I know I certainly don't require my misery bolstering by company. Leave me alone.

Great minds thinking alike. Naah. they'd just be similar minds then.

Gauche

 

[Guest]

 

[MathGirl]

Then there's always the self-evident, "A wet bird never flies at night."

Dear Rumple,
Tell that to the geese who migrate during storms.
MG
Ps. Of course it rolls off their backs like a duck.

 

[Seattle Zack]

Look before you leap

He who hesitates is lost

 

[Guest]

 

[MathGirl]

like a duck rolling off a goose?

Dear Nosey,
Yes. Hence the expression, "it rolls off my back like a duck." Members of the duck family are well know for such behavior.
Avianly,
MG

 

[Guest]

fits the bill

 

[Guest]

Rhinezorro,

Making me smile. Who would have thought this thread would end up (not that it's over) with such an illustration.

your non-illustrative fan, Perdita

 

[Guest]

 

[MathGirl]

Dear Nosey,
Re your illustration: I believe you have captured the very essence of the thing.
MG
Ps. I cite none other than Don Imus as the source of the duck quote.

 

[Guest]

 

[Guest]

Quack

 

[pop_54]

Ha

Quack

This thread's certainly going Quackers now


PS: MG do the ducks light up a cigarette after they roll off of the Goose like we humans do afterwards

 

[Guest]

Re: Ha

MG do the ducks light up a cigarette after they roll off of the Goose like we humans do afterwards

Not in California, Pops. Oh, wait. I smoke. Start rolling.

Purdy

p.s. can you deal w/the lad getting upset re. the jacking of his thread?

 

[pop_54]

Re: Re: Ha

Not in California, Pops. Oh, wait. I smoke. Start rolling.

Purdy

p.s. can you deal w/the lad getting upset re. the jacking of his thread?

I'm rolling love, I'm rolling

PS: Yes we're used to the lad now bless him, he's always been the same at home, hehe!! Hello son.