[TheForge] Re: Rule of thumb (was Guesstamating)

[Dave Brown]

At 05:10 03/30/02 -0600, you wrote:
>I started the thread, and I'm sorry I did. Doesn't have a thing to do with
>smithing. Just always wondered where the phrase came from.
>
>I don't even know what a gymnosophist is, nor what hammer to use for
>shaping, nor how many turnips to add for a proper stew.

Donn,

No need to be sorry.  Off topic questions and threads, as you may have=20
noticed, rise to the top every now and again and some go a little awry as=20
this one did.  No big deal.  This is a community of people with a common=20
interest.  As in every community discussions take many avenues and tangents=
=20
other than what the common interest is.  These little misunderstandings=20
(what one person writes or intends to say isn't always the same thing that=
=20
others read or understand to be said.  The off-topic discussions can and=20
sometimes do go overboard and can drag on and on.  It can get real=20
irritating at times, at other times you can get caught up in the maelstrom=
=20
and join in with vigor.  Sometimes it passes in a flash while at other=20
times it seems like it will never end.  But that's "community".  It=20
happens.  It is sometimes even a welcome diversion.  Don't lose sleep over=
 it.

At least such is my opinion about these things.  (although it may not seem=
=20
so at times)

Dave Brown

       Main Entry: gym=B7nos=B7o=B7phist
       Pronunciation: jim-'n=E4-s&-fist
       Function: noun
       Etymology: Latin gymnosophista, from Greek gymnosophistEs, from
       gymnos + sophistEs wise man, sophist
       Date: 15th century
       : any of a sect of ascetics in ancient India who went naked and
       practiced meditation