Phrases or sentences I dislike hearing

[Chalker]

Macd
"it's the exception that proves the rule" [an absurd contradiction, in the sense in which 'prove' is commonly used];

I'm sure that you know that that proving the rule originally meant testing the rule. Hence testing the rule lead to proving that it was not always true!

 

[macd]

Macd
"it's the exception that proves the rule" [an absurd contradiction, in the sense in which 'prove' is commonly used];

I'm sure that you know that that proving the rule originally meant testing the rule. Hence testing the rule lead to proving that it was not always true!

Quite so, and that usage of 'to prove' is still very much in use, as in proving ground, proof spirit, proof of the pudding, etc.

That makes the hackneyed old saying at least logical, although its origin is evidently older and more arcane, thanks to our learned friends. The 'exception' in question was in an offer of contract, as in 'admission free except on weekends'. The rule in that example would be that admission is not free on weekdays. Perhaps not very useful in everyday conversation.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

b

Macd
"it's the exception that proves the rule" [an absurd contradiction, in the sense in which 'prove' is commonly used];

I'm sure that you know that that proving the rule originally meant testing the rule. Hence testing the rule lead to proving that it was not always true!

Actually, the original quotation comes from the Roman jurist, Cicero. The sense was that a rule saying that something IS permitted implies the existence of a rule saying that everything else is NOT permitted

 

[macd]

Actually, the original quotation comes from the Roman jurist, Cicero. The sense was that a rule saying that something IS permitted implies the existence of a rule saying that everything else is NOT permitted

Another learned friend, albeit a rather old one. So British law's take on ''admission free except on weekends' is owed to Cicero. And here's me thinking it had more to do with Nero...

 

[Cariadco]

'Moving Forward'.......and 'Absolutely'............ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRgggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.............

 

[SamanthaTabs]

Upon misplacing something. "Where did you see it last?" Great thanks, that really helped!

 

[NormanS]

Another learned friend, albeit a rather old one. So British law's take on ''admission free except on weekends' is owed to Cicero. And here's me thinking it had more to do with Nero...

Is there such a thing as "British Law"? I know there's English law, and Scots Law.

 

[macd]

Is there such a thing as "British Law"? I know there's English law, and Scots Law.

A fair cop, and I hold my hands up, guv.
(Your secondary point would be that the Welsh are lawless...)

 

[Cariadco]

A fair cop, and I hold my hands up, guv.
(Your secondary point would be that the Welsh are lawless...)

I can assure you, with a sense of certainty, the Welsh are definitely 'Lawless'.....Just check Stav's or the Bucket during any 6 Nations.....

 

[Chalker]

"the only way to do it is......."

Perhaps I should now apologise to all the young Enginerrs that I shouted at when they quoted this. And be pleased that they learned that it is NEVER the only way to do it when I gave a silly but always practical alternaive.

 

[lenseman]

. . . . . . still got the pony tail ?

You know what they say about blokes with pony-tails ?

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When you stand behind them, you can lift up the pony tail and see the arse-hole who owns it ! :O



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[keithgdg]

What really ticks my box and does my head in is not its your round it's intollerance! )

 

[Poignard]

"Lessons have been learned"

Which comes up after every case in which another child has been tortured to death by its parents.

And another one in the news today.