Lawrence Kellerman
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"The exception that proves the rule" is often used to describe a case (the exception) which serves to highlight or confirm (prove) a rule to which the exception itself is apparently contrary.
May 15, 2019 · Learn the origin and usage of the phrase "the exception that proves the rule" and how it differs from "the exception that tests the rule". Find out why you should avoid the incorrect meaning of "the exception that confirms the rule" and see examples and comments.
Learn the meaning, usage and examples of the idiom "the exception that proves the rule", which means something that contradicts a general statement to show its truth. Find synonyms, related words and translations in different languages.
Feb 25, 2011 · The phrase "proves the rule" is not meant in a strict logical sense; rather it is meant to convey that some generalization or rule of thumb tends to be supported, not by an exception alone but by our reaction to the exception.
- The least stupid usage I have encountered for this phrase -- no real idea whether it's actually to do with its origins -- is when a rule expresses...
- The phrase has its origin in the law . It means that a law written in broad terms, but provided with an exception for some special case, is properl...
- This is a widely misunderstood and often badly used phrase, commonly said to confirm something in the face of contradictory evidence: "John always...
- The version I heard is that if there is an exception to a rule, then there most likely is a rule stating the opposite of the exception in the first...
- My understanding is that the phrase comes from law. In many cases the extent and limits of a law are not clear until a court case challenges the la...
- Earlier this month, pixelperfect asked What do you call a minor flaw in a work that makes you realize how perfect/flawless it is otherwise? — For e...
- It's a play on the proverb "there's an exception to every rule" Wiktionary . It follows from that proverb that no rule can be correct until you hav...
Learn the meaning and origin of the legal maxim 'the exception that proves the rule', which is often misunderstood and misused. Find out how it differs from the common interpretation and see examples and sources.
Jun 8, 2017 · Learn the origin, usage and misuse of the phrase 'the exception that proves the rule'. Find out how to use it correctly in formal and informal writing, and avoid common mistakes.
Oct 5, 2023 · Learn the origin, usage, and examples of the idiom "the exception proves the rule", which means that an exception confirms a general rule. Find out how this phrase is used in pop culture, literature, and legal contexts.
