Word Wise - 2

Origin of some phrases in English

1. Thumb Rule/Rule of Thumb - From an Old English Rule that stated a 'Man cannot beat his wife with anything thicker than his thumb'. How Chauvinistic?

2. Chauvinism - From Nicolas Chauvin, an ardent follower and soldier in Napoleon Bonaparte's army known for his fanatical patriotism.

3. Not upto the mark - Has its origin in the boxing ring. The phrase comes from a practice followed in boxing, that a boxer cannot land a punch on the other person until he comes up to a mark which would be marked on the ring.