Why does the exception prove the rule?
I’m not smart, so I can’t answer that. But here’s another question for you: isn’t the truism of an exception proving the rule a rule itself?
Well, if there were no rule in the first place, you wouldn’t need an exception… 
–James
Its the same as when a fool-proof plan meets up with an absolute fool.
“It’s difficult to make something foolproof because fools are so ingenious.” – Henry Ford
I am not so smart…but I read books by people who are:
From “The Word Detective” by Evan Morris:
“If we ever held a contest to pick the most frequently misunderstood popular saying in English, the exception that proves the rule would be a hands-down winner…
…the phrase was originally “The exception proves the rule,” leaving out the that…
…To properly understand…we need to take a look at the very old legal maxim from which it came: “Exception proves (or confirms) the rule in the cases not excepted…”
…In the original legal sense, this described situations in which an authority
granted an exception to a rule in a special case but, in making such an exception, confirmed that in general the rule was valid and should govern in all other cases. After all, if the rule weren’t fundamentally valid, the judge wouldn’t be making an exception to it–he or she would be throwing out the entire rule. It’s analogous to a parent letting a child stay up late on New Year’s Eve. Such bending of the rules on a special occasion doesn’t mean bedtime has been abolished from then on…”
That’s no fun, you answered the question. Now we can’t argue anymore. Or is that an exception?
I have an objection to the exception that answered the question…I don’t know what my objection is, I just know that I have one. Besides, I only clicked on this thread because I thought it would make me look smart if I did 
because if there were a rule, then that would mean something would be complete and perfect and absolut. that however does not exist, therefore the exceptions.
The exception that proves the rule is the exception that
is an exception for such remarkable or extraordinary reasons,
that it shows why the rule applies in other cases.
I say:
‘The people in Appalachia are dirt poor’
You say:
‘What about Joe Jenkins? He spent his last dollar
on a lottery ticket and won a million bucks!
He’s the only one in the area who owns a
pair of shoes.’
I say:
‘The exception that proves the rule.’
I’m ineligible for a question for smart people.
It’s total bullshit. Exceptions disprove rules.
I take exception to your exception example. 
I’m from Appalachia and I not only have shoes, I’ve got socks without holes in them! 
Those of us who come from less than affluent backgrounds tend to rely on that old Irish phrase - “F%£* de rules”,
Slan,
D.
…Whooooooops!!! …heh…must’ve clicked on this thread by mistake…I’ll just be going now…heh… 
OK, reader of smart stuff, explain my grannie’s favorite -
“You can’t have your cake and eat it too.”
As a kid, that one drove me to distraction.
Me own old Granny was fond of saying…" Ye can wish in one hand and piss in the other..and see which one will be full first…",
She’s been dead now for years…but there are some things that never really leave ye…,
Slan,
D.
That reminds me of a conversation I once heard between two Englishmen who tried to list as quickly as possible all the old sayings that have exact opposites that are also old sayings. Such as …
“Look before you leap.”
“He who hesitates is lost.”
“Penny wise and pound foolish.”
"Look after the pennies and the pounds take care of themselves.
There were many others they came up with in rapidfire succession, but it was years ago and I don’t remember. Any others you can think of?
Best wishes,
Jerry
“What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.”
“One man’s treasure is another’s trash.”