From early childhood, we remember the names of the fingers. Hearing that someone cut the forefinger, broke a nail on a large one or wears a ring on an average, our imagination immediately draws a hand and its necessary members with certain features. Where did all these names come from and what do they really mean?
Fingers of ancient romans
All peoples had their names for body parts. In ancient times, human knowledge in anatomy was very conditional. Therefore, physiology was closely intertwined with mystical beliefs. In ancient Rome, the names of the fingers were associated with the peculiarities of using each and imaginary connections with other systems and organs of the body. The index got its name because of the convenience of designating directions. Yes, the gesture “point the finger”, for which we are scolding children today, can be considered instinctive with confidence, since it is the extreme finger of the four nearby that moves best on its own. The original name of the index is "index". The middle one had two names at once: “impudis” and “obscoenus”. These names of fingers in Latin can be literally translated into modern Russian as “dirty” or “unclean”. Explaining them is very simple - it was the average Romans who used the toilet. But the
ring finger, on the contrary, was considered the cleanest, since its use in everyday life is limited. It was called “digitus” and was used only in special cases, for example, pharmacists mixed them with their healing potions. The little finger was called "auricularis" or "ear", and indeed, it is most convenient for them to clean their ears.
The origin of modern names
In olden times in Russia, instead of the word “finger”, the designation “finger” was used. However, today it is obsolete. But the names of the fingers are firmly included in our speech and are even used in official medical terminology. Starting from the edge of the hand, it is: large, index, middle, nameless, little finger. Explain exactly where these names of the fingers came from is not entirely simple. The middle one is indicated by its location relative to the neighboring ones, and the little finger is the smallest from the old Russian “little finger”. And if everything is clear with the index and nameless, then the name "big" sounds somewhat illogical. After all, in fact, this finger is the shortest and thickest. However, do not forget that the word "big" in Russian is often used in a figurative meaning - "main". The finger got its name because it is located first and is able to perform many functions independently.
Interesting facts about the human hand
The name of the fingers of a person’s hand may indicate its functions. In particular, the big one is really the most mobile and independent. Often with injuries to the
hand, the hand is bandaged, leaving this finger outside the bandage. And the resulting "claw", the patient can perform some simple actions. In second place in terms of usefulness and activity is the index. With this finger, it’s most convenient not only to gesticulate, but also to feel some objects, wipe off dirt and perform other similar actions. Untitled alone is rarely used, but it is indispensable when typing on a keyboard or playing some musical instruments. It is useful to learn the names of the fingers with the child as early as possible, for teaching the kids in a playful way, there are special
finger games and interesting readers. Older children can tell the story of the origin of the name for each finger and explain why each of them is historically used.
Why is the engagement ring worn on the ring finger?
Today we can easily determine whether a person is married, just look at his hands. Many fingers of a person have names for the functions they perform, but the nameless one, it is also the least mobile, from time immemorial it has been used to wear engagement rings. In some languages it is even called a “ring”. This tradition was born in the ancient world, according to the Romans and Egyptians, through the ring finger passes the “vein of love” - a large vessel that connects the limb with the heart. In Rome and Egypt, rings were worn on the left hand. In modern Russia, it is customary to wear the symbol of marriage on the finger of the right limb, and in many European countries they still follow ancient traditions.