Theos-Talk Archives (January 2006 Message tt00212)

In a message dated 1/17/2006 11:11:00 AM Central Standard Time, 
ibse03888@blueyonder.co.uk writes:

Quite correct Chuck.
Many measurements came from the King , such as a foot, a cubit, 
(distance from outstretched elbow to elbow) A Span from outstretched 
fingertip to fingertip.It varied whenever a new King took over the 
measurements were then amended, hence the expression getting the measure of 
someone. As for the rule of thumb the thick ness of a rod would be more 
appropriately determined by diameter(?) of the male member in order to keep 
women in their placeand thankful for it,but times have changed since those 
bygone days,when men were men and women were glad of it.
your humble servant,
Iain



Actually it was Bart that pointed it out. But the story predates the 
feminists of the 1970s. I have an old novel by Thomas Costain written in the 1940s 
that has a character referring to the size of the stick to beat the servant 
being no bigger than the size of a thumb.

So it's been around for a long time.

Chuck the Heretic


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