Graphic Designer's Weird Terminology
October 18, 2007 12:38 PM Subscribe
Why is a horizontal or vertical line in graphic design called a "rule"?
I need to find some sort of background or history or something to explain why graphic designers call visual horizontal and vertical lines "rules". Unfortunately, the term is too vague so I'm finding any search online to be useless. While a straight-up explanation is okay, citing some sort of reputable, quotable source would be appreciated.
I need to find some sort of background or history or something to explain why graphic designers call visual horizontal and vertical lines "rules". Unfortunately, the term is too vague so I'm finding any search online to be useless. While a straight-up explanation is okay, citing some sort of reputable, quotable source would be appreciated.
ORIGIN Old French reule, from Latin regula ‘straight stick’.
In the days of letterpress printing, a rule was a length of steel the same height as the text.
posted by SteveInMaine at 12:44 PM on October 18, 2007
In the days of letterpress printing, a rule was a length of steel the same height as the text.
posted by SteveInMaine at 12:44 PM on October 18, 2007
The term 'rule' comes from 'ruling line' which was used to distinguish between a graphic element line and a line of type.
As mentioned, rule comes from regula.
posted by i_cola at 12:59 PM on October 18, 2007
As mentioned, rule comes from regula.
posted by i_cola at 12:59 PM on October 18, 2007
I don't know etymology, but, as I interpret the terms, a line can be curved, but a rule is always straight.
posted by MegoSteve at 2:08 PM on October 18, 2007
posted by MegoSteve at 2:08 PM on October 18, 2007
You haven't lived 'til you've drawn a rule with a ruling pen.
The horror...the horror...
posted by Thorzdad at 2:21 PM on October 18, 2007
The horror...the horror...
posted by Thorzdad at 2:21 PM on October 18, 2007
OED entry, if it helps:
22. Typog. a. A thin slip of metal (usually brass) used for separating headings, columns of type, articles, etc., and in ornamental work; also a dash short or long in type-metal, thus – (en rule) or thus — (em rule), used in punctuation, etc.
1683 MOXON Mech. Exerc., Printing 18 He also provides Brass Rules of about Sixteen Inches long, that the Compositor may cut them into such Lengths as his Work requires. 1771 LUCKOMBE Hist. Print. 268 Full-points serve instead of Rules, in work of Accounts, to.. connect the posted Article with its contingent valuation. 1824 J. JOHNSON Typogr. II. 67 Rules are of three descriptions, viz. brass, metal, or space rules. 1855 A. WYNTER Curios. Civiliz. 48 The partition of a thin rule suffices to separate a call for the loan of millions from the.. cry of the destitute gentlewoman. 1892 A. OLDFIELD Man. Typogr. i, If rules are kept in standard sizes,.. very little rule-cutting need be done.
b. Without article (brass rule), as a material.
1771 LUCKOMBE Hist. Print. 282 They may be counted valuable Sorts.., considering that they.. save Brass rule. 1880 Paper & Print. Trades Jrnl. No. 32. 40 The groundwork of the design is a fan, made up in brass rule to the correct shape. 1892 A. OLDFIELD Man. Typogr. i, The cases of brass rule,.. &c., are best kept mounted.
posted by languagehat at 2:55 PM on October 18, 2007
22. Typog. a. A thin slip of metal (usually brass) used for separating headings, columns of type, articles, etc., and in ornamental work; also a dash short or long in type-metal, thus – (en rule) or thus — (em rule), used in punctuation, etc.
1683 MOXON Mech. Exerc., Printing 18 He also provides Brass Rules of about Sixteen Inches long, that the Compositor may cut them into such Lengths as his Work requires. 1771 LUCKOMBE Hist. Print. 268 Full-points serve instead of Rules, in work of Accounts, to.. connect the posted Article with its contingent valuation. 1824 J. JOHNSON Typogr. II. 67 Rules are of three descriptions, viz. brass, metal, or space rules. 1855 A. WYNTER Curios. Civiliz. 48 The partition of a thin rule suffices to separate a call for the loan of millions from the.. cry of the destitute gentlewoman. 1892 A. OLDFIELD Man. Typogr. i, If rules are kept in standard sizes,.. very little rule-cutting need be done.
b. Without article (brass rule), as a material.
1771 LUCKOMBE Hist. Print. 282 They may be counted valuable Sorts.., considering that they.. save Brass rule. 1880 Paper & Print. Trades Jrnl. No. 32. 40 The groundwork of the design is a fan, made up in brass rule to the correct shape. 1892 A. OLDFIELD Man. Typogr. i, The cases of brass rule,.. &c., are best kept mounted.
posted by languagehat at 2:55 PM on October 18, 2007
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posted by Wolfdog at 12:43 PM on October 18, 2007