Serious question

[EternalOptimist]

I had this discussion with the missus.

During the discussion I said 'well thats the exception that proves the rule'

so we had another discussion about what that saying actually means.

1.All US comedy is rubbish but the simpsons is the exeption that proves the rule (ie all US comedy is rubbish)

2.All US comedy is rubbish but the simpsons is the exeption that proves the rule (ie There is a new rule = NOT all US comedy is rubbish)

what do you think the saying means?

 

[Diestl]

I had this discussion with the missus.

During the discussion I said 'well thats the exception that proves the rule'

so we had another discussion about what that saying actually means.

1.All US comedy is rubbish but the simpsons is the exeption that proves the rule (ie all US comedy is rubbish)

2.All US comedy is rubbish but the simpsons is the exeption that proves the rule (ie There is a new rule = NOT all US comedy is rubbish)

what do you think the saying means?

Exceptions cant prove a rule the saying is usally exception to the rule. Like "All memebers of boyzone are alive but Stephen Gatley is the exception to the rule".

 

[Doggy Styles]

I've heard "exception that proves the rule" many times. It is simply an ironic retort.

 

[Diestl]

I've heard "exception that proves the rule" many times. It is simply an ironic retort.

Ive never heard of it. I must be the the exception that proves the rule then.

 

[thunderlizard]

I know this one!

It should really be "the exception that proves that there is a rule"

e.g. if you find a note stuck to the fridge that says "I'm not going to church this Sunday. Yours, Bob" you can infer that Bob, as a rule, goes to church on Sundays.

 

[Chantho]

I had this discussion with the missus.

During the discussion I said 'well thats the exception that proves the rule'

so we had another discussion about what that saying actually means.

1.All US comedy is rubbish but the simpsons is the exeption that proves the rule (ie all US comedy is rubbish)

2.All US comedy is rubbish but the simpsons is the exeption that proves the rule (ie There is a new rule = NOT all US comedy is rubbish)

what do you think the saying means?

"Prove" used to have the meaning of something akin to "test out, put on trial" which has been lost over the years. With this old meaning the phrase makes more sense, HTH

 

[HairyArsedBloke]

Serious question

.....


I had this discussion with the missus.

Now readers. Can you see where he went wrong?

 

[PRC1964]

I asked the internet.

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/exception-that-proves-the-rule.html

The internet blames, lawyers and Latin.

 

[BrilloPad]

Now readers. Can you see where he went wrong?

He should have got divorced?

 

[Doggy Styles]

Good work TL. That sounds more than just feasible.