"the exception that proves the rule" is not self contradictory
it's just most people don't understand what it actually means.
(Bazongaloid, Mon 21 Mar 2011, 11:01, 1 reply, 15 years ago)

I am genuinely willing to learn here
Please elaborate
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Mon 21 Mar 2011, 11:03, Reply)

Okay, a good example would be a sign saying "Parking here is free on Sundays"
the implication being that other than on Sundays the parking is not free. Therefore pointing out the exception (free parking on sunday) proves the rule (you must pay for parking at other times).

So it's a perfectly valid phrase, but it's not appropriate to many situations and so is usually used incorrectly.
(Bazongaloid, Mon 21 Mar 2011, 11:05, Reply)

That actually makes perfect sense
Thank you
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Mon 21 Mar 2011, 11:09, Reply)