"As a rule"

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by Formendacil

But still, I think that "as a rule" is still an easily understood phrase, and one that is still used, no infrequently.

*Sigh*... I was merely speculating because of the evidence that it was clearly not not understood. And by American I was refering to citizens of the USA and this was based on actual incidents. I did not say that noone in America understood these words - in fact I only realised there was a problem when someone started interpreting.

[Keeper of Dol Guldur]

I'm familiar with "rule of thumb", and I see the connection. But even so, a "rule of thumb" is a LOT less rigid a measurement than using an measuring instrument, like a ruler.

Rule;

1. Governing Power, authority.
2. A prescribed direction for conduct, a regulation.
3. The body of regulations prescribed by a founder.
4. Usual, customary course of action or behavior.
5. A generalized statement that describes what is true in most cases.
6. A standard method for solving a problem.
7. A subordinate regulation governing a particular matter.
8. A straight edged strip, wood, metal, etc, used for measuring lengths.

Anyway, I think Tolkien, who was a tremendous etymologist and a Professor of English, knew all the connotations, interpretations and meanings of the word rule, and I still think it makes sense.

[elronds_daughter]

Tolkien generally referred to Hobbits as if they could be easily transplanted to the twentieth century and not be noticed, excepting their size, of course.

- Apologies if that makes me sound the arrogant know-it-all. I tried to state in a factual manner what I've learned. -

(An aside Note: I'm doing a report on Tolkien and learning a great many things which I never knew before and of which I would still be ignorant if not for the joys of English class.)

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by Keeper of Dol Guldur

I'm familiar with "rule of thumb", and I see the connection. But even so, a "rule of thumb" is a LOT less rigid a measurement than using an measuring instrument, like a ruler.

Rule;

1. Governing Power, authority.
2. A prescribed direction for conduct, a regulation.
3. The body of regulations prescribed by a founder.
4. Usual, customary course of action or behavior.
5. A generalized statement that describes what is true in most cases.
6. A standard method for solving a problem.
7. A subordinate regulation governing a particular matter.
8. A straight edged strip, wood, metal, etc, used for measuring lengths.

Anyway, I think Tolkien, who was a tremendous etymologist and a Professor of English, knew all the connotations, interpretations and meanings of the word rule, and I still think it makes sense.

Well I think we can agree on definition 5

[Elianna]

The phrase "as a rule" is used by the members of the Notion Club.

So the general idea is that the phrase is used to show that Hobbits are more modern?

[drigel]

To me it connotes (intened or not) a sense of depth to the subject of the sentence. Well, at least when the sentence is describing a social or cultural subject. Sort of a historical depth device. We do something, we figure out which is the best way to do this something, and so we wind up doing something this way "as a rule".