Forefinger or Thumb
Poll: Forefinger or Thumb
Total Members Polled: 137
Discussion
Following a highly intellectual conversation recently where I said 'normal' people start with their forefinger when counting or indicating the number 'one' - I was challenged by another view that said people start with their thumb.
It therefore follows that for this latter group 'two' would be thumb and forefinger, 'three' would be thumb, forefinger and middle finger. It looks all wrong to me.
So when counting to five - do you start with your forefinger or your thumb?
This is obviously a debate that is vitally important.
It therefore follows that for this latter group 'two' would be thumb and forefinger, 'three' would be thumb, forefinger and middle finger. It looks all wrong to me.
So when counting to five - do you start with your forefinger or your thumb?
This is obviously a debate that is vitally important.
NDA said:
Following a highly intellectual conversation recently where I said 'normal' people start with their forefinger when counting or indicating the number 'one' - I was challenged by another view that said people start with their thumb.
It therefore follows that for this latter group 'two' would be thumb and forefinger, 'three' would be thumb, forefinger and middle finger. It looks all wrong to me.
So when counting to five - do you start with your forefinger or your thumb?
This is obviously a debate that is vitally important.
Surely with the 'forefinger is one' method you only get up to four on one hand?It therefore follows that for this latter group 'two' would be thumb and forefinger, 'three' would be thumb, forefinger and middle finger. It looks all wrong to me.
So when counting to five - do you start with your forefinger or your thumb?
This is obviously a debate that is vitally important.
spitfire-ian said:
NDA said:
spitfire-ian said:
Surely with the 'forefinger is one' method you only get up to four on one hand?
No.The thumb is then the final number, five.
https://youtu.be/Jfmzm_qKzd0?si=RjH2sp3dljluZcte
NDA said:
I just can't follow the logic in that. When counting using your hands it makes sense, in my mind anyway, to start furthest left with the thumb on your left hand and work right.There's a lot more to it than just counting to 10; the Indian method gets up to 400 before you need to take your socks off:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9S6qD_Wylw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9S6qD_Wylw
I guess it depends whether you're counting to yourself, or using your fingers to display a number to another person (such as indicating 3 beers at a bar).
For counting to herself, my wife automatically counts down the 3 sections of each finger starting with the little finger, then finishes with 2 sections of the thumb and the heal of the hand, enabling her to count to 15 on each hand, so 30 without resorting to toes. She's Indian, and I've noticed several of her relatives count in the same manner, so maybe that's a regional/cultural thing?
For counting to herself, my wife automatically counts down the 3 sections of each finger starting with the little finger, then finishes with 2 sections of the thumb and the heal of the hand, enabling her to count to 15 on each hand, so 30 without resorting to toes. She's Indian, and I've noticed several of her relatives count in the same manner, so maybe that's a regional/cultural thing?
DIW35 said:
Which digit do you hold up to signify 'one' to someone? For me it's the index finger. If I stick my thumb up to someone it's just that; thumbs up, everything's OK.
Exactly.Also how do you show '4 beers' at the bar? With your thumb as one and your ring finger kind of bent awkwardly?
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