Rule of thumb 

Originating from the Middle East, this refers to a father trying to penetrate his daughter with his thumb in order to assess whether she is ready to be married off. If penetration is impossible then she is not ready for marriage.

As a rule of thumb, Samira thought her father was somewhat unpredictable.

Rule of thumb by Achmed1977 April 24, 2009

Rule of thumb 

An approximate way of doing something based on presumptions rather than fact. Contrary to popular belief, the idea the law once allowed a husband to beat his wife as long as the device was no thicker than his thumb is false, as such assaults were outlawed for centuries in common law, although the ban wasn't generally codified in written law until the 1980s.

A driver kept going 5 mph over the speed limit, thinking the police had a rule of thumb that it was a waste of time to give out a ticket to anyone going anything lower than that.

Rule of thumb by BlastFurnace February 27, 2025

Rule of thumb 

A rule of thumb is a general guideline or basic principle that people use based on experience, not an exact rule or law.

The origin of the phrase likely comes from using the thumb as a quick measuring tool (about an inch wide)

“As a rule of thumb, if pasta sticks to the wall, it’s done cooking.”

Rule of thumb by soph2018392 September 8, 2025

Rule of Thumb (for women) 

It is acceptable for a woman may hit her abusive husband with a skillet or frying pan with a base thickness equal or less than that of her thumb.

This rule was created in response to the idea that suggests social allowance for a man to hit his wife with a switch of thickness no greater than that of his thumb.

"When he came to, he realized he couldn't be mad as she had not broken the rule of thumb (for women)"

Rule of Thumb (for women) by Fostered Bananas November 13, 2011

New Rule of Thumb 

The new rule of thumb is the publicly sanctioned male violence against women that do not comply with the current ideology. The Biden administration has exacerbated this by claiming attacks on certain groups.

Swimmer Riley Gaines just got assaulted by a male for speaking up about women’s rights. This day and age, the new rule of thumb allows males to beat women for speaking.

New Rule of Thumb by Le11223344 April 7, 2023

New Rule of Thumb 

The new rule of thumb is the publicly sanctioned male violence against women that do not comply with the current ideology. The Biden administration has exacerbated this by claiming attacks on certain groups.

Swimmer Riley Gaines just got assaulted by a male for speaking up about women’s rights. This day and age, the new rule of thumb allows women to be savagely beaten by males for speaking up.

New Rule of Thumb by anonymous April 7, 2023

Falcar's Rule of Thumb 

This is the Rule of Thumb invented on the VN Guineve DAOC message board.

Falcar's Rule States: You may date any age person ranging between 18 to Minus 5 years your Mother/Fathers age.

Bob: I like this chick, should I date her? She is a bit older than me. I mean, like in Cougar territory.

John: Well.. Falcar's Rule of Thumb man..

Bob: She is 6 years younger than my Mom, and I am 22.

John: You are Golden man.. Tag it.

Falcar's Rule of Thumb by VN Person December 4, 2009