trivia quiz question

[CJ CERAMICS]

hi all
just a quick quiz question for ya (sorry no prizes available)!
having read and commented on afew posts on this site
the phrase " THE RULE OF THUMB" has appeared on many.

my question for a starter of ten is

what is the original meaniing of the rule of thumb.

answers on a postcard>>>>>or just on here.
cheers all
chris

[Dave]

The wife....

[CJ CERAMICS]

lol dave nice one

[Colour Republic]

I always thought a 'rule of thumb' was a rough measurement used by artists and carpenters back in the 15th hundreds but it would appear i'm wrong, one such source would have otherwise - wikipidia "...British judge, for allegedly ruling that a man may legally beat his wife, provided that he used a stick no thicker than his thumb" I kinda like his thinking and shall adopt forthwith

[brian c]

my understanding of the Rule of thumb is pretty basic but thats my take on it,so here goes...basically its an easy to remember guideline and doesnt have any hard and fast rules making it a scientific formula..its more guess work than anything else.