How to Pronounce the Idiom Rule of Thumb American English
Today I am going to go over
the idiom ‘Rule of Thumb’.
A rule of thumb is
more a practical rule
than one based on exact
measurement or scientific fact.
For example, as a rule of thumb,
I don’t eat past 10 because
it makes my stomach upset.
This is a general, practical rule.
The word ‘rule’ begins with
the R consonant sound [?].
When words begin with this sound,
the lips tend to take a pretty
tight position, rr, rr, rule.
Of course, in the ‘oo’ as in ‘boo’ sound
[u], the lips also take a tight position,
ru-, ru-, so they remain in that
circle for both of those sounds.
Rule, rule.
The tongue is up and pressed in the
middle against the insides of the teeth
for the R sound, rr, ru-, it then pulls
back for the ‘oo’ as in ‘boo’ vowel sound,
as it is the further back part
of the tongue that is raised.
Rule.
Then, to make the L sound.
Which here is the dark L because
it’s at the end of the syllable.
The tongue tip moves into position, uh-ll,
and ends with the tip pressing against
the roof of the mouth
just behind the top teeth.
Rule rule.
Of.
Here, it is the schwa sound [?].
Rule of thumb, uh, uh, that sound
happens very quickly, rule of thumb,
as the word ‘of’ is not an
important word in this phrase.
Rule of thumb.
Of, of, of.
The bottom lip moves up to the
teeth to make that V sound.
Rule of thumb, rule of thumb.
You might find that you
hear, in practice,
people pronouncing it
almost more as an F.
That’s because the next sound,
the TH sound, is unvoiced [?].
And because that sound is unvoiced,
it sometimes makes the sound
before also unvoiced.
So you will not hear a strong vv V
sound, but more of a quick f/v mix.
Rule of – tongue comes through
the teeth for the th.
Thu-, the ‘uh’ as in ‘butter’ sound
[?], so the jaw drops to make that.
Rule of thu-uh-m.
And finally, the M consonant sound,
where the lips come together.
Mm, mm.
Thumb.
And the B here is silent.
Rule of thumb.