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# where exactly am I wrong?
I demand a greater level of specification!
(I helped save b3ta! jonas is not my name, Wed 11 Jun 2003, 13:19, archived)
# Just this morning
I had a brick and dog poo roll. It was lovely. I followed it with a crusty roll in a crusty roll. Then a rat roll.

Marmite is just the exception that proves the rule.
(I helped save b3ta! Lumpbucket tekcubpmuL, Wed 11 Jun 2003, 13:20, archived)
# I've never understood that phrase.
How can an exception prove a rule? Surely the mere existance of an exception causes the whole rule stucture to collapse?

bonkers.
(I helped save b3ta! jonas is not my name, Wed 11 Jun 2003, 13:25, archived)
# I've never heard the phrase
an exception proving a rule. An exception TO a rule, now that's a different matter...
(funkylins, Wed 11 Jun 2003, 13:26, archived)
# thats because you are thinking of rules
as a linear vector marker in a subcutaneous amalgum spore, instead of an oscillating carrot.
(I helped save b3ta! Lumpbucket tekcubpmuL, Wed 11 Jun 2003, 13:26, archived)
# yep.
I'm always worrying over subcutaneous vector markers instead of wobbly carrots.
(I helped save b3ta! jonas is not my name, Wed 11 Jun 2003, 13:28, archived)
# I believe that 'prove' in that expression
means something like 'test'.
(I helped save b3ta! Craymen, Wed 11 Jun 2003, 13:28, archived)
# that makes sense then.
Oh the joys of the english language.

I'm just of to prove my dough before baking...
(I helped save b3ta! jonas is not my name, Wed 11 Jun 2003, 13:30, archived)
# here you go...
www.quinion.com/words/qa/qa-exc1.htm

I just looked it up.
(I helped save b3ta! Craymen, Wed 11 Jun 2003, 13:30, archived)
# aah!
From now on I shall use "the exception confirms the rule in the cases not excepted" instead.
(I helped save b3ta! jonas is not my name, Wed 11 Jun 2003, 13:36, archived)
# It's the old meaning of Prove:
To test something.

IE - (Orignally) The exception that proves the rule = the exception that tests the rule.

But the meaning of that saying has followed the change in the meaning of "to prove" - which makes no sense really, but we still use it.
/Bryson
(I helped save b3ta! Ijon Tichy, Wed 11 Jun 2003, 13:30, archived)