# "The exception that proves the rule." and **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 20, 2004, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-exception-that-proves-the-rule-and/265153 "2004-09-20T17:04:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-exception-that-proves-the-rule-and/265153/1 "2004-09-20T17:04:26Z")
“A custom more honored in the breech than the observance.” I know what these two phrases mean. I understand them, deep down in the gut level. But I can’t articulate their meanings to WhyKid. (Yes, we have strange conversations on the way to school.) It doesn’t help that he’s a very literal, linear thinker, destined to one day become an engineer or architect, and I’m a rather “floral” thinker. We both speak English, nominally, except he speaks the “Literalease” and I speak “Metaphor and Allegory” dialects. Any translators out there? He’s 11, if that helps. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-exception-that-proves-the-rule-and/265153/2 "2004-09-20T17:21:28Z")
> [@](#): > > The exception that proves the rule When is you see how and when an exception is made, you get to see whether it’s a good rule to have, or how seriously it’s enforced. > [@](#): > > A custom more honored in the breech than the observance. It’s a bad habit and you’re better off avoiding it. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-exception-that-proves-the-rule-and/265153/3 "2004-09-20T17:47:22Z")
The master speaks: [http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_201.html](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_201.html) ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-exception-that-proves-the-rule-and/265153/4 "2004-09-20T17:53:55Z")
> [@](#): > > A custom more honored in the breech than the observance. Oh, yeah. I guess we’re not supposed to do that. -or- Oh, yeah. I guess we were supposed to do that. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-exception-that-proves-the-rule-and/265153/5 "2004-09-20T17:56:08Z")
Once upon a time, “prove” was a synonym for “test”. That usage only survives in that one phrase. ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-exception-that-proves-the-rule-and/265153/6 "2004-09-20T17:59:13Z")
The usage also survives in the term “proving grounds”, i.e., testing area. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-exception-that-proves-the-rule-and/265153/7 "2004-09-20T18:08:59Z")
QtM, thanks for the link, but it’s WAY too complicated for an 11 year old. Even a brilliant, wise and handsome thinker like WhyNot. 🙂 But maybe a summation and example like, “If an exception is listed, that tells us that there is a contrary rule about the same topic” But so far I can only think on one example, and it’s a messy one because it seems to indicate no rule: if there’s a “No Parking” sign on Main Street,we can assume parking is allowed anywhere there isn’t a sign. (But isn’t allowed parking a “no-rule”, not a rule?) Oh! I think I just thought of one: “You may play your GameBoy for 20 minutes after your homework is done on school nights.” This exception insinuates that GameBoy is not to be played before homework is done or for extended periods of time on school nights, without actually stating the rule. These circumstances provide an exception which indicates that a larger rule must exist for them to “except.” Is that right? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-exception-that-proves-the-rule-and/265153/8 "2004-09-20T18:45:43Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > But maybe a summation and example like, “If an exception is listed, that tells us that there is a contrary rule about the same topic” > > … > > Is that right? I don’t believe so. As ultrafilter said, “prove” here does not mean “demonstrates that a rule exists.” It means “test.” If you make an exception, the nature of the exception you’re making will test the value of the rule or how seriously you’re going to take it. So, if you say you’ve got a rule – say at a restaurant “no reservations: first come, first served” – but then the proprietor seats celebrities and acquaintances while making others wait. These exceptions tell you something about the rule. ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-exception-that-proves-the-rule-and/265153/9 "2004-09-20T18:52:45Z")
Cecil’s take on [the exception that proves the rule](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_201.html). > [@](#): > > Cicero was defending one Bilbo. (No relation to Frodo.) Bilbo was a non-Roman who was accused of having been illegally granted Roman citizenship. The prosecutor argued that treaties with some non-Roman peoples explicitly prohibited them from becoming Roman citizens. The treaty with Bilbo’s homeboys had no such clause, but the prosecutor suggested one should be inferred. > > Nonsense, said Cicero. “Quod si exceptio facit ne liceat, ubi non sit exceptum …” Oops, I keep forgetting how rusty folks are on subjunctives. Cicero said, if you prohibit something in certain cases, you imply that the rest of the time it’s permitted. To put it another way, the explicit statement of an exception proves that a rule to the contrary prevails otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-exception-that-proves-the-rule-and/265153/10 "2004-09-20T18:56:42Z")
BTW it’s **breach** , not _breech_. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-exception-that-proves-the-rule-and/265153/11 "2004-09-20T18:58:59Z")
Good point. But I can think of plenty of customs that are more honoured in the breech … The custom of going to work for example. Much more honoured in the breech than out of the breech. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-exception-that-proves-the-rule-and/265153/12 "2004-09-20T19:11:10Z")
I enjoyed Cecil’s column on “exeption that proves the rule,” but I think he gave up too quickly. Every time I hear it it’s used when someone’s lame generalization has been shot down by a counterexample. Often the theories are very lame. Bigot: All persons of ethnicity X have characteristic Y. You: Joe is X, but not Y. Bigot: Well, he’s the exception that proves the rule! As Cecil originally said, It’s one step up from “Screw YOU!,” but not a very big step. I’ve never heard it used in the “prove=test” mode outside of the column. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-exception-that-proves-the-rule-and/265153/13 "2004-09-20T19:18:51Z")
> [@qts](#): > > BTW it’s **breach** , not _breech_. Oops, guess I got that one turned around! Get it? Get it? Turned… Nevermind. ---
**Author:** ![MaryEFoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MaryEFoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaryEFoo)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-exception-that-proves-the-rule-and/265153/14 "2004-09-20T19:31:17Z")
The way I’ve seen “That is a custom more honored in the breach (breaking) than the observance” used is, there is supposed to be such a custom but few follow it. My grandmother might have told you as a young lady to wear white gloves in San Francisco, but that custom was little followed even at that time. Coming to a full stop at an arterial stop sign is another example. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-exception-that-proves-the-rule-and/265153/15 "2004-09-20T19:34:27Z")
Take a look at the phrase as used in its actual context, MaryEFoo – > [@](#): > > Hamlet: > The King doth wake to-night and takes his rouse, > Keeps wassail, and the swaggering up-spring reels; > And, as he drains his draughts of Rhenish down, > The kettle-drum and trumpet thus bray out > The triumph of his pledge. > > Horatio: Is it a custom? > > Hamlet: Ay, marry, is’t; > But to my mind,–though I am native here, > And to the manner born,–_it is a custom > More honour’d in the breach than the observance._ > This heavy-headed revel east and west > Makes us traduc’d and tax’d of other nations: > They clepe us drunkards, and with swinish phrase > Soil our addition; and, indeed, it takes > From our achievements, though perform’d at height, > The pith and marrow of our attribute. > So oft it chances in particular men > That, for some vicious mole of nature in them, > As in their birth,–wherein they are not guilty, > Since nature cannot choose his origin,– > By the o’ergrowth of some complexion, > Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason; > Or by some habit, that too much o’er-leavens > The form of plausive manners;–that these men,– > Carrying, I say, the stamp of one defect, > Being nature’s livery, or fortune’s star,– > Their virtues else,–be they as pure as grace, > As infinite as man may undergo,– > Shall in the general censure take corruption > From that particular fault: the dram of eale > Doth all the noble substance often doubt > To his own scandal. Hamlet’s saying that Claudius and his crew do indeed get drunk every night, but things would be better if they wouldn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-exception-that-proves-the-rule-and/265153/16 "2004-09-20T19:36:11Z")
Also note there “to the _manner_ born,” not “To the Manor Born” (which was the punning title of a sitcom). ---
**Author:** ![MaryEFoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MaryEFoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaryEFoo)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-exception-that-proves-the-rule-and/265153/17 "2004-09-20T23:27:28Z")
I stand corrected. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-exception-that-proves-the-rule-and/265153/18 "2004-09-20T23:31:11Z")
> [@Terminus Est](#): > > The usage also survives in the term “proving grounds”, i.e., testing area. And _The proof of the pudding is in the eating_. (And, for that matter, proof reading). ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-exception-that-proves-the-rule-and/265153/19 "2004-09-21T01:08:05Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > And _The proof of the pudding is in the eating_. (And, for that matter, proof reading). and photographic proofs. I’m guessing that proof as a measure of alcohol concentration also relates to testing. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-exception-that-proves-the-rule-and/265153/20 "2004-09-21T01:13:45Z")
Yes; it’s something to do with wetting gunpowder and seeing if it burns - definitely a test, I’d say. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-exception-that-proves-the-rule-and/265153.md?page=2)