THAT "THE EXCEPTION PROVES THE RULE " 213 



with the beginning of 1901 that the twentieth century 

 commenced its run. And although the attempt was 

 actually made, yet all the edicts and laws of kings and 

 Kaisers could not alter this mathematical fact. 



THAT "THE EXCEPTION PROVES THE RULE" 



IJHIS very common expression is a singular mis- 

 conception as to the meaning of an old Latin 

 proverb, Exceptio probat regulam. The word 

 probat used here really means to test, but it 

 may be translated proves, since the word prove also means 

 to test, as is seen in its use in relation to the proving of 

 cannon, the place where the guns are fired being called 

 "proving" grounds, or in other words, testing grounds. 

 Therefore the expression quoted at the head of this note 

 does not mean that the exception confirms or ratifies the 

 rule, but that it tests or tries it, and if the exception cannot 

 be easily explained away, the rule breaks down. 



For example: a somewhat positive person asserted that 

 the only case in which the letter s had the sound sh when 

 it preceded the vowel u was in the word sugar, and was at 

 once met with the question: "Are you sure?" His rule, 

 if rule it could be called, broke down on being proved or 

 tested. 



