# Exception to the conditions of a rule

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exception-to-the-conditions-of-a-rule/97330>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [December 7, 2001, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exception-to-the-conditions-of-a-rule/97330 "2001-12-07T00:07:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2001, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exception-to-the-conditions-of-a-rule/97330/1 "2001-12-07T00:07:01Z")

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[What’s the meaning of the expression, “That’s the exception that proves the rule?”](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_201.html)

It would seem to me that a sensible meaning would be an excepetion to the conditions of a rule (to which the rule could not be extended) proves it a good rule.

For instance, consider head and facial hair on people. The rule “Men can have beards.” has an ‘exception’ Ruth, who is not a man, and doesn’t. The rule “Men have hair.” does not have such an exception, since women have hair too. The first is a better rule IMO.

Does anyone see what I’m saying?  
(edited to fix link - don’t forget the http:// )

[Edited by Arnold Winkelried on 12-06-2001 at 11:35 PM]

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**Author:** ![Mandarax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Mandarax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mandarax)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2001, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exception-to-the-conditions-of-a-rule/97330/2 "2001-12-07T02:45:14Z")

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I don’t see how what you’re saying differs from the “Last Word on Exceptions” section at the bottom of the [subject article](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_201.html). [Link provided in OP doesn’t work.]

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**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2001, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exception-to-the-conditions-of-a-rule/97330/3 "2001-12-07T03:53:00Z")

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Oh. Thanks. I swear by all that is holy that that wasn’t there when I read the article.

Everybody ignore this.

God, I’m glad none of you know me IORL.