"The Exception Proves The Rule"

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Inspired by this:

Originally Posted by DoctorNo

I hate that mis-phrase; it doesn't mean anything.

The correct phrase, which is very rarely used any longer, is "The exception probes the rule." As in, it tests the rule.

Makes more sense, doesn't it?

I hate this phrase being misused also.
It doesn't mean that it's OK for an exception to exist. It means that exceptions will be handled according to the rule.

It also shouldn't be used against facts or opinions. It's about rules, and what to do with those that break them.

Another opinion on this phrase, found after I wrote the above sentence:

exception proves the rule, the
This is often used to mean that the exception confirms the rule. However, prove in this case means 'test'; the fact that there is an exception implies that the rule may not be valid, or may need some modification. The phrase is perhaps most often used as a more or less meaningless reply to an inconvenient fact: 'You're always late'. 'I was early this morning'. 'Ah, but the exception proves the rule!'.

[Kenshiro]

Exceptio probat regulam de rebus non exceptis.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Originally Posted by Kenshiro

Exceptio probat regulam de rebus non exceptis.

You spell worse than fally!
That's all Greek to me.

[Kenshiro]

Btw, I don't think the correct phrase is, or ever was, "the exception probes the rule." I think somebody just really likes the b in the latin word probat.

And DTNF's meaning is more obvious with the full phrase I used about. The exception proves the rule in cases where there is no exception.

[Woodrow]

I thought it meant that if the exception is so remarkable that it sticks out in your mind, that must mean it is a rare occurrence, and gives validity to the rule.

To use an example from above:
"You're always late"
"I was early last March 18th"
that exception proves that the rule must be the norm.

[Phil]

George Carlin (in Braindroppings) says it's "proves" meaning "tests" the same way alcohol was tested by measuring its flammability and the amount of alcohol is called "proof".

[Emily]

Originally Posted by Kenshiro

Exceptio probat regulam de rebus non exceptis.

I thought it was "exceptio probat regulam in casibus non exceptis." The exception proves the rule in cases not excepted. Like if a sign says "free admission under 2," means if you are not under 2 than admission is not free. Or "no parking on Sundays," means parking is allowed on other days.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Originally Posted by Woodrow

I thought it meant that if the exception is so remarkable that it sticks out in your mind, that must mean it is a rare occurrence, and gives validity to the rule.

To use an example from above:
"You're always late"
"I was early last March 18th"
that exception proves that the rule must be the norm.

That exception proves that the statement, "You're always late," is false, and that it is probably not a "rule" of any kind.

Did you read this sentence, right before this example: "The phrase is perhaps most often used as a more or less meaningless reply to an inconvenient fact:..."

[Emily]

Originally Posted by Phil

George Carlin (in Braindroppings) says it's "proves" meaning "tests" the same way alcohol was tested by measuring its flammability and the amount of alcohol is called "proof".

It has often been suggested in reference works that prove here is really being used in the sense of “test” (as it does in terms like “proving ground” or “the proof of the pudding is in the eating”, or in the printer’s proof, which is a test page run off to see that all is correct with the typesetting). It is said that the real idea behind the saying is that the presence of what looks like an exception tests whether a rule is really valid or not. If you can’t reconcile the supposed exception with the rule, there must indeed be something wrong with the rule. The expression is indeed used in this sense, but that’s not where it comes from or what it strictly means.

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-exc1.htm

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Originally Posted by UNCORRELATED LAY from other thread

Google tells me it means something
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/e...-the-rule.html
One of hundreds that give similar explanations. None of which confirm your theory

This source seems to state that there's more an issue of the word "exception" than "rule."