Exception Proves Rule

Commenters repeatedly use the idiom 'the exception that proves the rule' (or variations) to dismiss counterexamples and affirm general rules across diverse discussions.

📉 Falling 0.5x Other
1,966
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#1464
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2007
2
2008
21
2009
31
2010
42
2011
51
2012
56
2013
75
2014
63
2015
69
2016
88
2017
89
2018
95
2019
159
2020
169
2021
181
2022
217
2023
211
2024
154
2025
184
2026
9

Keywords

accountingtools.com OP exceptions rule exception proves prove bugs extraordinary earnings episode scenario

Sample Comments

JKCalhoun Nov 14, 2024 View on HN

Perhaps the exceptions that prove the rule then.

DonHopkins Feb 14, 2020 View on HN

That's the exception that proves the rule.

leoc Jun 3, 2021 View on HN

Talk about the exception that proves the rule, though!

compay Mar 5, 2009 View on HN

Yup, exceptions that prove the rule.

sharemywin Aug 8, 2023 View on HN

yep the exception that proves the rule.

run4yourlives Mar 17, 2008 View on HN

Well, there's always an exception to the rule. :-)

moolcool Oct 3, 2023 View on HN

I'd consider that an exception that proves the rule

sixQuarks Mar 1, 2016 View on HN

There's always an exception to the rule.

kube-system May 30, 2023 View on HN

That's an exception, not the general rule.

legends2k Jun 25, 2025 View on HN

Sure, there are always exceptions but they're only that, exceptions.