Martha,

Be careful about claims like this.

I used google for origins "rule of thumb."

See http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000512.html

This explains how the term may have been interpreted with the offensive
meaning.

This reference is much more definitive.
http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-rul1.htm

It notes that the expression was atttested in 1692 with the meaning we
use it today.
It also suggests how your correspondent may have come up with the
offensive meaning.

The net is a marvelous place.

Bob Yates
Central Missouri State University

>
>

To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at:
     http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html
and select "Join or leave the list"

Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/