Talk:Exception that proves the rule

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[edit] Misinterpretation

It would be good in this case to avoid the POV terms "correct" and "incorrect" in reference to this expression. After all, the "incorrect" usage goes back to the 17th century, and has established itself in its own right. The reader who encounters the expression needs to be aware of both possibilities. In no way should he assume that the more subtle older meaning is used. There are many more usages in English where a more modern change has been has been accepted in a much quicker time.

The other point is that "proves" is not equivalent to "implies" or even "infers". Let's not forget the in casibus non exceptis in the Latin expression. In the scientific method there is a repeating cycle of hypotheses and proofs. As long as we are at the hypothesis stage we can only state that there may be a rule; with that information alone we cannot be sure of what it is. It's also important that the exception be seen as an exception, and that the supposed rule be unique and unambiguous. If it can be an exception to more that one conflicting rule it is no longer effective as a proof. What makes your parking example interesting is the you phrased it as parking allowed on Sunday whereas the source which uses this has the parking prohibited on Sunday. In a common law tradition anything that is not specifically prohibited is allowed. Thus it would be reasonable to say that if parking is prohibited on Sunday it must be allowed on other days. It would not be reasonable to infer that because parking is allowed on Sunday it must be prohibited on the other days. This expression is far more subtle than it has been made out to be. Eclecticology 07:37, 3 November 2007 (UTC)