I've seen a lot of Latin and even more English expended in getting to the relevant point. Fowler's discussion in his , Dictionary of Modern English Usage, sorts things out nicely. Fowler addressed five meanings, from (1) The original simple legal meaning through to (5) the serious nonsense. Here, we'll stick with #1. (For a full discussion of 'exceptions' I suggest Professor Richard Holton's, "Exceptions, Rules, and the Law." )
Fowler noted that the seeking of an exception implies the existence of the rule from which the exception is sought. If, therefore, you ask to take the overhead projector home for the weekend and you're refused, there's no use in subsequently claiming that there's no rule preventing it. Your request demonstrated that you recognised the need for an exception.
If you ask permission, you must stand ready to accept the reply.
There's a safer alternative, however, to simply making off with the projector. (See, also, my related, "Breaking the rules.") You might say, "I'm taking the overhead projector home for the weekend." Absent contrary advice, you're on safer ground—and you're free to claim there's no rule, in rebuttal. ▪
For every problem there is a solution which is simple, clean
and wrong.
—Henry Louis Menken (1880-1956)
