Half your age plus seven
September 10, 2007
The reliably good xkcd - A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language refers today to the infamous “half your age plus seven” rule for dating: No dating anybody younger than that, or you’re into creepy territory.
I’ve said this one enough times that many people who know me think of it as a bit of mine; but it comes originally from Islam, and I actually stole it as a rule from Chris Owens (from the UChicago AI Lab days) back in 1990 or so.
One of the few good rules to be based in Islam, I’d say. (And even there, I think they meant it as a recommendation rather than a boundary constraint.)
Update: Hey, now it’s Rule #2909 at Rules of Thumb.
2 Responses to “Half your age plus seven”
Hi there. Arrived here via Google Search, following a question about the origin of “half your age plus seven.” Do you have any sources to back up the reference to Islam, and if so would you mind sharing, either here or via email? Thanks.
By eric on Feb 6, 2008
Hey eric, did you ever find out the origin?
cheers!
By D on Jul 18, 2008